American nurse learns Greek to communicate with her elderly patient

·

Estefanny Bedolla is a nurse at Alden Town Manor in Cicero, Illinois who has gone above and beyond for one of her patients.

Recently, Bedolla learnt how to speak Greek so she could communicate and care for Anastaisa, her elderly patient living with advanced dementia.

It was a decision Bedolla made when Anastasia’s English began to fade due to her diagnosis, the American nurse told McKnight Long-Term Care News.

Feeling motivated to improve Anastasia’s care, the Illinois nurse decided to learn the language now most familiar to Anastasia: Greek.

“I believe a language barrier should not be an obstacle to providing quality care,” the 27-year-old said.

“Learning Greek has been quite challenging. But with everything new, repetition is key. I would stick to a word or phrase and repeat it to Anastasia throughout my shift.”

Alden Town Manor in Cicero, Illinois.

Bedolla said it’s a learning journey that she and Anastasia are on together.

“Whenever I mispronounce a word, she corrects me and celebrates me when I get it right,” she said.

While she is yet to speak Greek fluently, Bedolla expressed her desire to achieve full competency.

“For now, I am focused on learning specific words and phrases that will help me provide better care for her. Not only to facilitate her activities of daily living but also to make her feel more at home and comfortable,” Bedolla said.

Bedolla said her experience has strengthened her bond with Anastasia and the pair continue their language and care journey together at the Cicero home.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Earlwood’s Greek spirit centre stage as ‘Plateia’ Festival secures state funding

The City of Canterbury Bankstown will host the “Love Earlwood” festival thanks to the NSW Government’s Open Streets 2025-28 Program.

Greek Consul General honoured at Hellenic Club farewell event in Sydney

Sydney’s Greek community came together on Thursday for a dignified farewell dinner in honour of Greece’s Consul General, Ioannis Mallikourtis

Field of candidates announced for 2025 Greek Community of Melbourne Board election

Greek Community of Melbourne has officially called elections for a new Board of Directors, with members set to head to the polls on June 29.

Australia Cup 2025: Strong Greek heritage club presence as Final 32 locked in

The cast for the Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 has been decided following the completion of the Preliminary Rounds.

Apostolakis and Trimis named on Young Matildas squad for upcoming training camp

CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has settled on a 32-player squad for a domestic training camp to be held in Sydney.

You May Also Like

Turkish Foreign Minister says Greece must ‘stop its provocations’ just days after NATO meeting

Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said that “Greece needs to give up provocations” for the two countries to solve their problems.

Sakkari and Tsitsipas defeated by Aussie duo in Tokyo Olympics quarterfinal

Greece's mixed doubles pairing, Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas, have been defeated in the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinal tonight by the Aussie duo, Ashleigh Barty...

Cyprus breaks Guinness World Record for longest sheftalia

A Guinness World Record was broken on Sunday, October 13 in Dromolaxia, Cyprus with the creation of a 75-metre-long sheftalia.