UK travel inclusion expert reflects on Bali leadership retreat and review of dementia-inclusive resort

Leading UK travel inclusion expert and founder of Sargent Group Consulting, Dr Carol Sargent, was invited as the sole UK representative to speak at the International Aged Care Conference in Bali and attend a leadership retreat held at the Aashaya Jasri Resort in Bali.

Invited as the only UK expert, Carol delivered a key presentation on the significance of travel for the dementia community and then participated in the leadership retreat at the newly refurbished resort, which she describes as a “pioneering model of accessible tourism”.

Carol was also asked to review the resort, a groundbreaking fully dementia-inclusive, accessible holiday destination.

The Aashaya Jasri Resort, designed to include people living with dementia and disabilities, is a destination with two fully accessible villas - soon to be four - offering a safe and supportive environment for individuals, families, and small groups. The resort can provide individually tailored care packages, ranging from 1 hour to 24 hours a day, ensuring every guest receives the right level of support to enjoy their holiday.

“Staying at Aashaya Jasri was a powerful reminder of how travel can be truly transformative for the dementia community. This resort allows individuals to rediscover joy and freedom by meeting new people, enjoying new experiences, and spending meaningful time with their loved ones in a safe and welcoming environment,” Carol said.

Carol’s time at the retreat also emphasised the importance of global collaborations in inclusive care so the global tourism sector can learn from others about being dementia inclusive.

“The retreat provided an excellent platform for thought leaders to come together and exchange ideas on how we can enhance aged care and inclusive travel,” she said.

“We need more international efforts like this to empower people living with dementia and our aging population to lead fulfilling lives, regardless of their condition.”

Community Home Australia (CHA), the not-for-profit organisation behind Aashaya Jasri, organised the leadership retreat to encourage collaboration among healthcare leaders focused on dementia and disability care.

Carol’s review of the resort praised its unique approach, which involves treating each person as an individual, understanding them, their families, and their support networks before their stay to build a personalised care plan, ensuring that individual desires and needs are met throughout the holiday.

“The resort’s commitment to providing individualised support for every guest, no matter their level of need, is impressive.

“It shows that accessibility and inclusivity don’t have to be compromises; they can be built into a world-class travel experience.”

Aashaya Jasri welcomes everybody, not just individuals living with dementia. They can also provide tailored support, for those with a range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS), acquired brain injury, Huntington’s Disease, Down Syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and chronic mental illnesses. The resort is also LGBTQIA+ welcoming, underlining a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

During the leadership retreat, key figures in the healthcare and aged care industries came together to discuss ways to improve accessible travel and aged care. CHA, which was established by Aged Care Consulting & Advisory Services Australasia Pty Ltd, has long been at the forefront of innovative care solutions, and Aashaya Jasri is its latest initiative to create inclusive, community-driven experiences.

Dr Carol Sargent has dedicated her career to advocating for accessible travel opportunities for individuals with disabilities, with a special focus on dementia-friendly tourism.