Conversation creates belonging

Every second Tuesday at Altona Gardens Care Community in Melbourne’s western suburbs, a humble coffee grinder, known as a mlin, stands as a metaphor for the power of connection.

“Coffee is made differently in eastern Europe than it is in, say, Italy,” explains wellbeing manager Tatjana. “It might sound simple, but the details of these rituals matter because they spark memory and conversation.”

Language is a great connector, bringing people together across borders and oceans. A sense of the familiar also helps us feel safe and comfortable – and just as importantly, understood.

Tatjana, who left her hometown of Trilj in Croatia for Australia as a teenager, knows this well. Twice a month, Tatjana coordinates a gathering of residents who hail from the Balkan nations for a catchup, to reminisce and discuss events of the day in their language of home.

Everybody has a story

While language is the common thread, understanding each resident’s life story is at the heart of belonging. When someone comes to live at one of our Care Communities, we have discussions with them and their family to understand more about their life story; to learn what’s meaningful to them, the languages they speak and the moments that shaped them.

“Understanding our residents’ cognitive ages is important,” says Tatjana. “A resident who is experiencing cognitive impairment may believe the year is 1950, so discussing events and politics of that year is perfectly natural. So that each of our residents has the most comfortable, meaningful experience in our conversations, we try to make sure we have a good match of cognitive age.”

Sharing stories across Australia

These connections nurtured at Altona Gardens Care Community have had wider impact, with other Opal HealthCare Care Communities joining in over Teams calls. On the day Opal Moments dropped in for a listen, residents from Keilor East Manor Care Community joined in for spirited conversation.

Resident Milan enthusiastically takes part, sharing his story of emigrating to Australia from Osjek in Croatia with his Serbian-born wife, Stanka. Milan opened a butcher shop, working seven days a week. When Stanka was diagnosed with dementia, the couple moved to Altona Gardens Care Community, where the sense of kinship helped them truly feel at home before Stanka sadly passed away.

“The war tested us,” says Milan. “Those were difficult years, and we worked hard. I like talking about the good memories of my childhood with people who have shared my experiences. We want to share our stories while we remember them.”

“Ultimately, it’s not about religion, age, or nationality,” says Tatjana. “Those things are important of course, but it’s the person behind it. It’s about belonging. You take the time to acknowledge the person, to help them feel seen and heard, and that they matter.”