BaptistCare is bringing its refresh dementia retreats to Albany in June, offering short getaways for dementia patients and their support person to reconnect with others and get their confidence back.

More than 44,000 people in WA live with dementia, and that number is set to double in the next decade.

Australia-wide aged care provider BaptistCare says a dementia diagnosis is not only life-changing for the person who receives it, but for their families and support networks as well.

The organisation launched the three-day refresh retreats this year, hoping to provide better support and a small respite for those who have recently been diagnosed with dementia.

Retreat program manager Kim Marshall said while numbers of dementia patients were rising, programs designed to support resilience and make emotional connections in the disease’s early stages were rare.

She said watching the change in people from the day they arrived on the retreat to when they left was special.

“People often arrive anxious and unsure, but by the final day, they’re relaxed, laughing and swapping phone numbers,” she said.

“It’s an instant community built on shared experience.”

An example she shared was of retired piano tuner Ken Ackerman, who joined one of BaptistCare’s recent retreats alongside his support person Kathy Smith.

Mr Ackerman had not played piano in years, but when he came across the piano at the retreat, he sat down and was soon playing “as if time had melted away”, according to Ms Smith.

“That day reignited something in Ken,” she said.

“When we got home, he started practising again.

“I hadn’t seen him light up like that in years.

“Being around people who understand has made such a difference.

“It reminded us that there is still laughter and joy in the world — and it encouraged us to keep building those connections.”

Ms Marshall said it was important to recognise that people living with dementia still participated in many aspects of normal life.

“A dementia diagnosis doesn’t mean life stops,” she said.

“There is still friendship, laughter, and meaning and we need to normalise that.”

The retreats run over three days, with carers taking part in practical workshops to help them take care of someone with dementia, including on communication, future planning, and self-care.

BaptistCare is bringing a retreat to Albany from June 9 to 11, and registrations are now open via baptistcare.org.au/refreshretreats-wa.