Enhancing quality of life for people living with dementia
and their carers through nature-based respite activities,
experiences and accommodation.
Princes Court is proud to lead the GreenConnect Dementia Respite Project, a pioneering initiative designed to enhance the quality of life for people living with early to mid-stage dementia and their carers across the Loddon-Mallee region. Established in June 2023 and officially launched in April 2024, GreenConnect offers an innovative model of respite care that integrates nature-based activities, experiences, and accommodation in dementia-inclusive environments.
About the Mallee's Living Histories
Dementia affects more than 421,000 Australians, with numbers expected to double by 2054. Access to quality support remains a significant challenge – especially in regional communities.
GreenConnect was created to help fill that gap. We offer a compassionate, person-centred approach that harnesses the therapeutic power of nature to enhance wellbeing for people living with dementia and their carers.
Designed for those in the early to mid-stages of dementia who live outside of residential aged care, GreenConnect provides shared group experiences in inclusive, natural settings. Participants engage in meaningful activities – from garden mornings to riverside walks – that reduce stress, encourage connection, and foster a sense of belonging. Rather than traditional respite care, GreenConnect offers a dementia support group environment where carers and their loved ones are supported together. It’s a distinctive, community-focused model that helps participants feel more connected, more confident, and less alone.
A Recognised and Awarded Initiative
GreenConnect’s innovative approach to dementia support has already earned a Highly Commended Award at the 2024 Future of Ageing Conference. Other key milestones include the official ministerial launch, the addition of team members in Mildura and Bendigo, and our first dementia-friendly business assessment.
Anthony Couroupis, CEO of Princes Court, highlights the significance of this initiative:
“GreenConnect is about creating a welcoming, supportive space where people living with dementia and their carers can enjoy enriching experiences in nature. We are proud to lead this groundbreaking project and to provide innovative respite care that truly makes a difference.”
A partner of the project is Princes Court Mildura, and Anthony further emphasises the project’s mission:
“A respite facility like ours is always here for those who need it, but GreenConnect has shown that those with dementia can thrive, and their carers can enjoy time out through the magic of nature and connection, and that’s why Princes Court is right behind this pivotal project. This project also beautifully demonstrates how the community can work in partnership for those in need.”
Kaye Matthews and Anthony Couroupis
Kaye Matthews, Mildura Respite Care Coordinator for the project, is passionate about fostering meaningful connections for those with dementia and their carers.
“A diagnosis of dementia changes things, but life goes on,” says Kaye. “What we are aiming to do is make the world more accessible and amiable for those with dementia, with wonderful excursions and experiences already completed and more planned. We hope more people in the Sunraysia area can take advantage of these nature-based activities to enhance connectivity and friendship.”
A Collaborative Effort
GreenConnect is led by a consortium of like-minded organisations, including Princes Court, Rural Care Australia, Heathcote Health, and the John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research at La Trobe University.
La Trobe University will evaluate the social and economic impact of this project and the potential to expand the model of care to other sectors such as disability, mental health, and palliative care.
Impact and Testimonials
Participants describe GreenConnect as a “welcoming and uplifting space” that fosters friendships and provides essential support. A carer shared: “Before GreenConnect, I panicked about how we could make friends. Now, my husband and I have a full diary of things to do and people to meet. It has changed our lives.”
Want to find out more?
As GreenConnect continues to grow, Princes Court remains committed to advancing dementia respite care.
To learn more about this innovative project, visit www.greenconnect.org.au