Older persons wellbeing clinic model born of student project report

A project initiated by a Charles Sturt University student report has led to the development of a model for opening a clinic focused on the wellbeing of older people in the Port Macquarie area. The first phase of the Older Persons Project led to the establishment of the Social Work Student Unit. This unit produced a report with important findings on the wellbeing and support needs of older Australians living in the Port Macquarie region. representing the first step in co-designing a model for an interdisciplinary community wellbeing clinic for the area.

The proposed clinic would provide nursing and allied health students studying social work, occupational therapy, psychology and related disciplines with Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities. Additionally, the project’s findings establish a baseline for further research, including collaboration, engagement and consultation with older persons, the local community and the service sector.