UDRH SW Facilitates Meeting with Regional South West Residents about BASIS Clinic for Older Adults

UDRH SW Staff Facilitating Meeting with Shire of Manjimup Residents

University Department of Rural Health South West staff visited Northcliffe and Manjimup for meetings with local residents interested in supporting and attending a proposed student-led clinic by students studying Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology.

The UDRH SW is intending to offer a service and learning placement from April 2025, named ‘BASIS Clinic’ (Balance Ability, Strength, Independence, Support). The UDRH SW has identified a unique opportunity to provide a student supported service that is not currently available in the Shire of Manjimup. There was great engagement with community locals from the Shire at the meeting, who offered their valuable feedback on the proposed BASIS Clinic.

The BASIS Clinic intends to provide home assessments and exercise programs to improve the lives of older adults in the Shire of Manjimup. Specifically, the Clinic plans to:

• Improve the ability of the aging community to continue living at home with a full and active life
• Reduce the need for ongoing home assistance services
• Reduce hospitalisation episodes by enhancing healthcare access

The Clinic will provide education and training for Occupational Therapy and Exercise Physiology students for two days per week at each site. The participants will be older adults who have, or who are waiting for Home Care Packages from the Staying in Place program. Two UDRH SW staff – an Occupational Therapist and Exercise Physiologist will supervise on rotation, 4 students in each 6+ week block. Both the Northcliffe Family & Community Centre and the Manjimup Shire have expressed support for the clinic, and will be the host sites. The UDRH SW team also visited a potential student accommodation while facilitating the BASIS Clinic.

Are you interesting in learning more about the BASIS Clinic? Please get in touch with the UDRH SW.