The innovative dementia care and disability provider is continuing to break new ground, launching its first venture on the Indonesian island.

Three years after launching its unique model in Canberra, Community Home Australia (CHA) has ventured into new territory – putting a deposit on the 3.5 star Aashaya Jasri Resort (pictured) in Karangasem on the east coast of Bali – with the aim of offering people living with dementia and other neurocognitive conditions the chance to travel to the island nation.

Bali was identified as the ideal location for several reasons, being relatively affordable for a small Not For Profit, a reasonably close distance to Australia and also being a popular holiday destination.

“We didn’t want to create a leper colony where just people with disabilities go – we wanted it to be inclusive and accessible, and we wanted it to be able to provide the level of support and clinical support that people may need, but not have that front and centre, which is the philosophy that we use in Canberra,” CHA co-founder and Managing Director, Dr Rodney Jilek (pictured below) told SATURDAY.

With nine villas catering for up to 20 people set around an inground swimming pool, the resort – which features a restaurant, café and spa – will operate under the same concept as CHA’s three Canberra houses, with a focus on bringing the community in and also taking people out to see the local tourist attractions and beaches.

“The plan is to provide whatever assistance and support you need to meet your needs, whether it’s personal care, clinical care, or just having someone to engage in activities with you – that would all be negotiated with the person,” said Rodney.

One-on-one support would also be available to travel from Australia to Bali, with accompanied transfers from Sydney and Canberra.

For the full story – and more on CHA – check out the next issue of SATURDAY, on 16 February – subscribe here.