Our retreat is designed for people newly diagnosed with dementia and their carers and aims to offer essential support, education, and resources to help you navigate this journey.
In our three-day program, find guidance and comfort in a nurturing space, tailored to your needs.
Our skilled team aids those with dementia while providing carers with the skills and knowledge needed for continued care.
Locations
Each month, we select a peaceful location within the beautiful Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shires.
Throughout the retreat, you and your loved one will stay at the venue, surrounded by a dedicated team of trained staff available 24/7 to provide support and assistance.
Eligibility
We invite newly diagnosed dementia patients and their carers to share their journeys with us. If our retreat isn’t suitable for your circumstances, we are happy to refer you to alternative services that can better meet your needs.
No cost
Treehouse4Two is fully funded by the Australian Government including accommodation. Enjoy meals, including morning and afternoon tea, at no cost.
How to register
Questions about our retreat or its suitability for you? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Our team is ready to provide detailed information, address concerns, and guide you through registration.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the simple criteria to check if you are eligible for Treehouse4Two. Further assessment will take place after the initial contact is made.
- You are a carer for a person living with dementia, and there has been a diagnosis of dementia.
- You live alone and have a diagnosis of dementia and have a carer who could attend the retreat with you.
- You live in the Macedon Ranges Shire, Hepburn Shire or a nearby rural location. This includes the Bendigo and Ballarat areas.
- You are able to travel to a Treehouse4Two Retreat location (as advertised on the website treehouse4two.com.au). If this is a barrier to attending, please talk to us.
- You will be able to participate in the assessment process, which includes a phone session for approximately 45 minutes and a home visit to finalise all details prior to attending the retreat.
- You will be able to participate in the follow-up evaluations (6 weeks and 6 months after the retreat), which will be conducted by telephone.
Central Highlands Rural Health and the team at the Treehouse4Two Retreat program encourage you to let us know if you have any other needs so that we can support you to attend.
This may include:
- Language, cultural and religious requirements
- You identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- You identify as LGBTQI+
- You have a disability
- You have specific dietary requirements
We can accommodate you and your parents at the retreat.
We encourage you to contact us and we will have a chat.
Telephone: Paula Weekley, Retreat Coordinator 0439 568 972 or email treehouse4two@chrh.org.au
Please visit our website: www.treehouse4two.org.au
Feedback
Your feedback is extremely valuable and assists us in continuing to improve our program. We will ensure that your feedback is documented on our database and that it’s shared with the staff or service involved. https://www.chrh.org.au/feedback-form/
CASE STUDY
Attending Treehouse4Two was an “absolute blessing”
Diane and her husband Rickie recently attended the Treehouse4Two retreat and said that it was a mind-blowing experience.
In the last year, Rickie was recently diagnosed with dementia which has impacted his memory, regulating his emotions and his ability to carry out household tasks. Upon hearing the diagnosis, Diane was daunted by the sudden task of having to care for her husband not knowing much about the condition.
“I was very confused and quite confronted. I just thought I needed to understand where we’ve got to go from here,” said Diane.
Through her family friends, Diane had heard of the dementia retreat program offered by Central Highlands Rural Health (Treehouse4Two) and decided to get in touch to find out more. She spoke with the Treehouse4Two Retreat Coordinator, Paula, about the retreat and what she could get out of it, and felt comfortable that it was the right thing to do for Rickie and herself.
Diane and Rickie joined five other couples (carers and people living with dementia) at the April retreat held at the lovely Glen Erin in Lancefield. While it was beautiful and the food was great, Diane most appreciated being in the company of others going through similar things and learning together.
“It was lovely, surprising and very confronting. But to be in a room for three days with others talking about these things must be [confronting]. It was an absolute blessing and I highly recommend it. I came away from there feeling so much better and hopeful through a greater understanding of what’s ahead.”
We invite newly diagnosed dementia patients and their carers to share their journeys with us. If our retreat isn’t suitable for your circumstances, we are happy to refer you to alternative services that can better meet your needs.
And for Rickie, well he didn’t want to leave. While Diane was spending time with the other carers learning about dementia and how to better care for their partners, the people living with dementia were often regaled with stories from Rickie who quickly turned into the life of the party.
“At first I didn’t think he would want to go, so to see him get so comfortable with people he’s only just met was great. He was the life of the party they told me, so I was quite surprised! I thought he would want to go home but he thought it was great.”
