Moonie Kha rounded out the second year of her UWA Biomedical Science degree with a summer internship through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship, learning about the importance of holistic care approaches while supporting the work of Ballet4Wellbeing.
Pursuing a double-major in Pharmacology, and Microbiology and Immunology, Moonie applied for an internship because of her passion for making a positive impact and her desire to contribute to work that aligned with her values and interests.
“I was privileged to work with Ballet4Wellbeing, where I wrote a literature review, recorded observations in sessions and developed a questionnaire,” Moonie said.
“My work aimed to explore whether ballet, as a form of exercise, could enhance older adults' physical health – looking at balance, walking gait, flexibility, and posture - while also improving cognitive functions and boosting mood.”
“The most rewarding aspect of the internship was witnessing the uplifting effect that ballet classes had on the residents in an aged care facility. They were initially really reserved and anxious, however they gradually began to open up to us, becoming more talkative and sharing many stories,” she said.
The internship was an invaluable real-world experience for a Biomedical Science student, and a chance for Moonie to come to terms with the seriousness of the challenges that can be present in ageing.
“The most challenging aspect of my internship was witnessing residents coping with dementia, depression, and limited mobility. Previously I had underestimated the prevalence and severity of mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, among older adults in aged care. Researching these issues highlighted how often they are overlooked and how crucial it is to address them alongside physical health concerns. It gave me a new appreciation for holistic care approaches that include emotional well-being.”
Lisa Purchas, Co-Founder of Ballet4Wellbeing, said that Moonie’s contribution had been invaluable at a time the team was looking at ways to quantify both the physical benefits of their ballet programme for aged care, and also measure indicators of well-being amongst participants.
"Moonie's contribution involved attending the aged care facilities with our Ballet4WellBeing Instructors, making observations, and even participating at times in some classes. What was so constructive for us was the questionnaire Moonie created, which includes feedback from instructors, occupational therapists and carers, and is helping us develop a clearer and bigger picture of how our programme benefits participants,” Ms Purchas said.
As a fledgling company in the aged care field, Ballet4Wellbeing sought out the support of a collaborator to make Moonie’s internship role possible, with Alzheimer’s Research Australia providing office space.
Moonie said that she hoped her work with Ballet4Wellbeing would enhance care strategies within the aged care sector.
“By highlighting how activities like dance can improve both physical and mental well-being, my research supports the integration of more holistic, well-rounded care plans for aged care residents, which can significantly improve their overall health outcomes.”