Rementia Together Retreat
Redefining how to live well with dementia
It's time to create your sensational Plan B
No one plans for dementia. It wasn’t part of your vision for the future, not for you, not for the person you love. That was Plan A. And when life doesn’t go to plan, it’s easy to feel like the ground has shifted beneath your feet. But what if you could take a breath, regroup, and build a powerful, hopeful Plan B?
To get you started with your Sensational Plan B is a free 5-day, immersive, live-in retreat designed specifically for people in the early stages of dementia and their support partners. It’s not just about adjusting, it’s about reclaiming your sense of control, rediscovering joy and redefining how to live well, together.
Set in a warm and welcoming home environment, the Rementia Together Retreat hosted by our brilliant Program Director Maxine Radus, offers more than just practical strategies — it offers connection, courage and community. Across five transformational days, you’ll gain tools, insights, and real-world advice to help you return home not only with renewed energy, but with a personalised plan for what comes next.
You’ll be surrounded by a small group of others walking a similar path, up to five people living with dementia and their support partners, with expert guidance from compassionate professionals who understand what you’re going through.
Fully funded by the Australian Government, the retreat includes all accommodation, meals, and a line-up of sought-after specialists and dementia experts (most of whom have 6mth waitlists to get in to see), at no cost to participants. Regular retreats are held in Sydney, with regional locations available throughout the year.
You didn’t choose dementia. But you can choose how you move forward.
Your sensational Plan B starts here. Let’s Chat.
Our Rementia Together Retreat topics include:
- Understanding dementia
- Strategies and tools for living well
- Creating cognitive ramps
- Human needs and how they can be impacted by dementia
- Communicating well
- Sexuality and intimacy
- Carer self-care
- Finding purpose and meaning
- Sleep, food and mood, exercise
- Your environment
- Community support
- Planning for the future
- Music, movement and meditation
Our Upcoming Retreats
Our retreats are held regularly in Sydney, as well as in regional locations at times throughout the year.
Presented with Frontier, this retreat is specifically designed for participants living with Primary Aggressive Aphasia
Sydney
Featured Presenters
We have different guest speakers depending on each group attending our Rementia Retreats. Below are a few of our regular or previous presenters.
Tamar Krebs – Founder and Chief Experience Officer
Tamar is the Founder of Videri Australia, having previously served as a Memory Care Unit nurse for 25yrs. Tamar set out to change how we think about and approach dementia care in Australia and in so doing, started Videri Australia (previously Group Homes Australia) in 2011. Tamar is a sought-after speaker and presenter, spreading her message about the need to Do Dementia Differently.
Dr Helena Popovic MBBS
Dr Helena is a medical doctor and leading authority on improving brain function, best-selling author and international speaker. She graduated from the University of Sydney, Australia and her mission is to educate rather than to medicate. She is unique in bringing the latest discoveries in brain science to body weight management.
Dr Loren Mowszowski
Loren is an experienced Clinical Neuropsychologist with specialised expertise in older adult cognition, brain health, and cognitive rehabilitation. She provides diagnostic assessments and individualised cognitive interventions in her private practice in Woollahra, Sydney, and also works within the multi-disciplinary Memory and Cognition Clinic at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Loren is internationally recognised as a leading clinical researcher in cognitive ageing and neuropsychological interventions through her longstanding work with the Healthy Brain Ageing Program at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney.
Candice Care-Unger
Candice is an experienced specialist social worker and qualified sexologist, with a demonstrated history of working in hospital & community rehabilitation settings for the past 20 years across Sydney, rural New South Wales, Brisbane, Scotland and New York. She is the NSW Branch President of the Society of Australian Sexologists (SAS), as well as an award-winning clinician-researcher with numerous peer reviewed publications.
Danielle Robertson
Danielle Robertson, former CEO of DIAL-AN-ANGEL®, brings over 39 years of expertise in the care industry. After 29 years in the family business and its acquisition in 2014, she established her own consulting firm to guide families in securing the right care, support, and accommodation for ageing or disabled loved ones. Danielle has assisted more than 1,000 families across Australia over the past 11 years, delivering outstanding outcomes in home care, retirement living, and supported accommodation. She is recognised nationally as a subject matter expert.
Angie Contreras
Angie is an experienced occupational therapist with over 20 years of clinical practice. She is trained in the COPE approach and has a special interest in supporting clients with progressive neurological conditions and dementia. Angie is also a university educator, currently teaching occupational therapy subjects at Australian Catholic University, with previous experience at the University of Sydney.
Dr David Foxe
David is a clinician-researcher with the FRONTIER Research Group at the University of Sydney. Drawing on his clinical training as a registered clinical neuropsychologist, he bridges research and clinical practice to advance understanding and care in dementia. With over 15 years of experience in dementia research, his interests include improving the diagnostic accuracy of rare dementias and improving the clinical experience and management of individuals diagnosed with dementia.
How do people access the retreat program?
Call us on 1300 015 406 or complete the form below at the bottom of this page.
Information for Medical Referrers
Our free to the participant, Australian government-funded Rementia Together Retreat has been used by many of our referring specialists to assist with the following intended clinical outcomes.
Post Diagnosis Support
After a patient (and their family) receive a dementia diagnosis they often say that they ‘had no idea what to do next’. As a diagnosis is different for everyone, it’s not always practical for the clinician to take them through the detail. Providing a referral to our Rementia Together Retreat is an easy and efficient way to offer tailored support to help people make sense of their diagnosis and take confident steps forward, with practical tools for living well.
Reduce Carer Burden
Recognising the toll that looking after a person living with dementia can take on a carer, our Rementia Together Retreat is the only government-funded program designed for both the person and their support partner to do together, learning in tandem. Support partners gain essential knowledge, skills and peer connection, helping them to feel more ‘in control’ and less overwhelmed in their caring role.
Avoid Premature Hospitalisation
Too often, lack of early diagnosis and support leads and carer fatigue as a result, leads to unnecessary hospitalisation or premature entry to residential aged care. The Rementia Together Retreat enables early intervention in the form of hands-on education. The retreat focusses largely on forward planning to reduce potential crisis points and to help families stay strong, stable and well-supported at home for longer.
“It was wonderful. It was all I hoped for and more. I thoroughly enjoyed it and head home feeling empowered!”
– Anne
Helpful reading, when you're ready
We’ve gathered thoughtful notes and real answers to questions we’re often asked, designed to support you.
How do people access the retreat program?
Our retreat is free and all-inclusive once an eligibility criteria and assessment are met. If you are interested in learning more about the 5-day Rementia Together retreat, call Videri Australia on 1300 015 406, email info@videri.com.au or complete the form below on this page.
How many people can attend each retreat?
Each retreat accommodates up to 5 people and their support partners.
Is there a cost to participate in the Rementia Together retreats?
No, we are pleased to lead this government funded retreat, meaning there is no cost to participants.
Will I have my own room and bathroom?
Yes a room is allocated for each dyad, and bathrooms are generally ensuite or situated next to the room.
How many people attend?
Ten participants attend each retreat. This can be a couple, daughter and mother or father and son, or a person living with dementia and their support partner or friend.
How long is the retreat?
The retreat runs from Monday to Friday. Check in is at 11am on Monday and checkout is 10am on Friday.
What does the Rementia Together program include?
It is a comprehensive program. When you meet Maxine at the assessment stage, she will share more program information and details with you.
What do I need to bring?
Comfortable casual clothes, pyjamas, toiletries, you may like to bring your own pillow if you attached to that, too!
Is there anything I cannot bring?
This is an alcohol-free week so no alcohol and preference for no smoking. If you do smoke, please be considerate of others.
How much does the retreat cost?
Funded by the Australian Government, we are pleased to provide all accommodation, food/beverages and retreat sessions free of charge to participants.
Do I have to attend every session?
It is advisable that you attend each session to get the most from your retreat experience, however if a rest is needed at any time, that is supported.
What time does the program start?
Breakfast is at 8am and the program commences from 9am to 4.30/5pm.
Am I responsible for anything else?
The carer/support partner is required to complete three questionnaires – one prior to the retreat, one after 6 weeks and one after 6 months. This data is then shared with the government and is completely anonymous. Please review our T&C for more information.
Let's talk
Wherever you are in your journey, we are here for you.
Call us on 1300 015 406 or share your details via our form and we will be in touch.