Elena House - Respite for People with Young Onset Dementia
Beautifully appointed, personal, respite care specifically for people aged 40-65 with young onset dementia. We believe care should feel personal, dignified and age appropriate, more like a home than a hospital.
About Elena House
Elena House exists to redefine respite care for people living with early-onset dementia by offering a calm, age appropriate, home-like environment - where clients are supported with dignity, empathy, and meaningful engagement.
We believe respite should feel like a break for everyone - the client and their families - not a step into a clinical or aged care facility.
We have a team of highly dedicated carers who will look after your loved ones as if they were family and are highly trained in young onset dementia.
You can choose between day stay or overnight visits. We cater for up to 6 people during the day and 4 guests overnight.
We also can provide in-home respite care if required. Please enquire by sending us a message.
A Message from our Founder
My name is Susie Mills, I'm the founder and director of Elena House, named for resilient females in my life. It is a home to honour my late husband who I cared for in this house with an amazing group of people who are joining me to support Elena House in its next phase of life. It is also a place to remember my parents who lived with Alzheimer's disease and the effect it had on both their lives.
With an MBA in Entrepreneurship and many years in pharmaceuticals, I bring both clinical literacy and commercial rigour to compassionate care. I’m currently undertaking a doctorate in female leadership and neuroplasticity—investigating how the brain’s adaptability can be harnessed to repurpose underused regions. My research has extended to early dementia and practical, evidence-informed approaches that may help people maintain function and quality of life. I’m passionate about turning science into warm, human experiences for families.
Our Services
Day Resite Care
Full day respite with suitable carer ratios depending on client needs.
8.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m. 7 Days a week
Please discuss your personal needs so we can develop a suitable care plan.
Overnight Respite Care
24 hour respite care with suitable overnight carer ratios depending on client needs.
Please discuss your personal needs so we can develop a suitable care plan.
CST (Cognitive Stimulation Therapy)
What CST is
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is a structured, enjoyable program (usually 14 sessions, twice a week, ~45–60 min over 7 weeks) that mixes conversation, orientation, word/number games, problem-solving, music and creative tasks in a small group or 1:1 format. It aims to maintain cognition and wellbeing rather than “train” one narrow skill. A large RCT showed benefits to cognition and quality of life, and NICE (UK) recommends offering group CST for mild–moderate dementia.
RCT = Randomized (UK: Randomised) Controlled Trial — a study where participants are randomly assigned to a treatment or a control/comparison group to test an intervention’s effects, considered the gold standard for clinical evidence.
Elena House Comes to You — in-home respite
For some people, staying overnight in an unfamiliar house just isn’t realistic. Routine, familiar surroundings and the assurance of safety at home can make all the difference. That’s why we offer an Elena House Comes to You service: our team provides respite in your home, built entirely around the person and their routine.
What’s included
1:1 support from an Elena House carer (consistent staff wherever possible).
Flexible timing: daytime, evenings or overnights; one-off or a regular schedule.
Personalised plan: gentle activities (conversation, music, puzzles, walks), meal prep, hydration and medication prompts (non-clinical), wind-down routines.
Out-and-about options: accompany to appointments, café walks, or local nature time if desired.
Home comforts: light household support (e.g., tidy up, laundry) to keep the day flowing.
Safety & dignity: calm cues, predictable pacing, and clear communication with family.
Pricing & areas
Fees are tailored to the level of care needed at the time (1:1 as standard).
NDIS or private funding — we’ll provide a transparent quote.
Available across the Northern Beaches and surrounds (ask about other locations; modest travel fees may apply).
Standards you can trust
Fully insured service; staff with current police checks/WWCC and first aid.
Respect for privacy and infection-control practices.
Next step Please enquire to meet our team and confirm whether we can travel to your area. We’ll visit for a short home meet-and-greet, agree goals and routines, and tailor a support plan that feels safe and familiar from day one.
Our Elena House Team
Sophie Timothy - Registered Nurse
Hello I'm Sophie and nursing is my passion as it allows me to provide compassionate, safe and respectful care using my skills of empathy, clinical background and positivity. If I can make a positive difference to someone's day I'll do all I can to help.
Daniel Franzoni - Support Carer
Hi, I’m Daniel. I bring dedication, patience, and enthusiasm to my work as a Support Worker. With experience supporting people with autism and other disabilities, I focus on creating safe and positive environments.
Amy Duncan - Counselling
Hi, I'm Amy with experience providing personalised in-home care. I bring a calm and empathetic approach to support. I take time to listen, creating a space where my clients feel heard and respected.
Haley Lewis - Area of Interest - LBD
Hi, I'm Hayley with 33 years experience and 5 specifically in dementia care. I excel in behaviour care, personal care and emotional regulation. I build trust and autonomy while creating meaninful daily moments.
Katerina Pretty - Director of Activities
I began my career in corporate sales and marketing, and for the last 20 years I have run my own business in childrens' creativity. I am passionate about client focussed, people centric customer service and care.
Sarah Warwick & Susie Mills - Caregiver Champions
We are the Caregiver Team who onboard the loved ones of our clients and are the go-to team members for any questions related to your loved one's care. We also support and help caregivers who do the most amazing job to care for their loved ones.
Florence Porto - FrontoTemporal Dementia expert
Hi I'm Florence. I am a warm, creative individual with a Cert 4 in Community Sevices and specialised in Dementia Care. I have 8 years experience as a support worker in disability including aged care, palliative care and mental health.
Danny Cooke - Exercise and Movement Coordinator
Hi I'm Danny and I bring energy and enthusiasm to Elena House as the resident Exercise and Movement Coordinator. With a strong background in sport and fitness, I design gentle, engaging activities to keep our guests active, confident and moving well.
Our common ground (for every stay). Young onset Dementia Done Differently. Small groups or 1:1, tailored to need. No strict routine—but no surprises. We agree activities, mealtimes and rest together. Fresh meals, warm hospitality, and nature on the door.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease
What it is (in a nutshell) Alzheimer’s is the most common dementia. It usually starts with memory and word-finding changes, then can affect planning, attention, confidence and mood.
How we support at Elena House
Days with rhythm, not rigidity: predictable plans, gentle reminders, no surprises.
Cognitive stimulation (CST-style): short, enjoyable sessions—conversation, music, puzzles, hands-on tasks— always supportive, never exam-like.
Memory supports: personalised cue cards, photo prompts, structured routines (spaced-retrieval, checklists).
Movement & nature: walks at Angophora Reserve, light strength/balance, pool/spa when safe (supervised).
Food & social connection: fresh, home-style meals; small groups or 1:1 as preferred.
Family friendly: partners can stay for a cuppa, lunch, or overnight by arrangement.
Note : We don’t give exam-style tasks (no pop quizzes, no “remember these three words in five minutes,” no timers, no scores or comparisons).
Activities are supportive and enjoyable—conversation, music, puzzles, creative tasks—not pass/fail.
We observe gently (engagement, comfort, what worked) and adjust the plan; any optional baseline checks are done privately, with consent, never during sessions or in a way that feels like an exam.
Lewy Body Dementia
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
What it is (in a nutshell) DLB often brings fluctuations (good and not-so-good periods in a day), visual hallucinations, REM-sleep changes, and Parkinson’s-type movement (stiffness, slowness). Sensitivity to some medicines is common.
How we support at Elena House
Calm, clear spaces: good lighting, minimal visual clutter, strong orientation cues.
Flexible scheduling: we match sessions to “best-alert” times and allow quiet recovery windows.
Movement & mobility: Parkinson’s-aware stretching, balance and cueing; careful fall-risk management.
Reality-gentle approach: we respond to hallucinations with reassurance, redirection and comfort, not confrontation.
Sleep routine: consistent evening wind-down; no alcohol on site; spa only when safe; partner strategies for nights.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia
What it is (in a nutshell) Vascular dementia is linked to blood-flow changes in the brain (strokes or small-vessel disease). Thinking speed, attention and planning are often more affected than memory at first; progress can feel “step-wise.”
How we support at Elena House
Energy-smart pacing: shorter activity blocks with calm breaks; written plans and visual steps for tasks.
Executive-function supports: budgeting/cooking/mapping tasks with checklists, timers and goal sheets.
Heart-healthy habits: gentle aerobic exercise, balance work; hydration and sensible routines around sleep and meals.
Confidence builders: success-first activities (garden, music, toolbox sorting), then gradual complexity.
Safety first: fall-aware layouts, clear signage; pool/spa only when appropriate and supervised.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
(behavioural-variant bvFTD and language-led variants)
What it is (in a nutshell) FTD often starts younger.
bvFTD: changes in behaviour, initiative, empathy or judgment; more impulsivity or rigid routines.
Language variants (PPA): word-finding, grammar or meaning difficulties while memory can seem relatively okay early.
How we support at Elena House
High structure, low friction: clear day plan on a board; simple house rules; choices (A/B) instead of open-ended demands.
Positive redirection: purposeful, hands-on tasks (cooking prep, small projects, music sets) to channel energy.
Social-cognition support (bvFTD): gentle emotion-reading games, turn-taking activities, predictable group norms.
Communication support (PPA): SLT-style scripts, written/picture cues, communication books; slow pace and gestures.
Carer coaching: practical strategies for home—environment tweaks, routines, cueing, and stress-reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, our home sits in a quiet residential pocket with sweeping views of Pittwater. Angophora Reserve is just a short stroll away—perfect for guests who’d like a gentle walk in nature.
We have a dedicated team of highly experienced carers who have specialist knowledge in dementia and specifically Young Onset Dementia. Our team is here to make your stay as enjoyable as possible and our range of backgrounds and interests mean you will have plenty of different people to support you during your stay with us at Elena House.
We tailor every stay to the person. Our Director of Activities designs individual programs around each client’s background, abilities and interests. Options include music and singing, art and craft, cooking and baking, gentle exercise (yoga or chair-based), water aerobics and more. If something would make your stay better and we can safely offer it, we’ll find a way to make it happen. See our activity section for more detailed programs available to you.
We tailor every stay to the level of support you need—no two guests are the same. Staffing ratios are set individually after assessment:
Daytime: from 1:1 care up to a maximum of 1:3
Overnight: from 1:1 care up to a maximum of 1:2
We welcome NDIS (plan- or self-managed) and private funding. Pricing is discussed at a friendly meet-and-greet once we understand your needs.
We have strong experience with young-onset dementia (YOD) and provide the higher or fluctuating levels of support many people with YOD require, especially at night time when sleep can be interrupted.
Yes we are in the process of becoming NDIS accredited but we are able to accept NDIS plan or self-managed clients or privately funded.
We understand that getting a confirmed young-onset dementia diagnosis can take time, and securing NDIS funding is often a long process. If you are still undiagnosed or not yet funded, please reach out—we’re happy to discuss options and how we can support you in the meantime.
We share our home with a beautiful, very friendly Golden Retriever—formerly my husband’s companion dog—who loves pats and (ever-hopeful) snack patrols. If you’d prefer a dog-free space, we can easily settle him in a private area during your stay.
Subject to other guests’ preferences, you’re welcome to bring a friendly, well-behaved dog for overnight stays. Just let us know in advance so we can plan the best setup for everyone.
We do everything we can to make a stay at Elena House as stress-free as possible. Respite is for both the person living with dementia and their carer, and our goal is for everyone to leave feeling rested and supported. We use a gentle, unrushed approach to settling guests in. If a partner would like to stay for morning tea, lunch, or even overnight, that’s possible—and encouraged. Please ask at your meet-and-greet so we can plan the best setup for you both.
At Elena House there’s no strict timetable—and no surprises. We plan the day with each guest: the activities they enjoy, the foods they like, when they prefer to eat, and whether they’d like company or a quieter mealtime.
Our caterer, Susie, prepares everything from scratch using farm-fresh produce delivered locally, and we tailor menus to each guest’s dietary needs. Guests are warmly invited to join Susie in the kitchen for freshly prepared lunch, plus morning and afternoon tea.
For overnight stays, a freshly cooked breakfast is available any time between 7.00 am and 9.00 am every day.
No sorry. To keep everyone safe and comfortable, we don’t serve alcohol and we ask that guests and visitors don’t bring it onto the property. Many guests take medications that interact with alcohol, and it can affect cognition and behaviour—so maintaining a calm, inclusive environment is our priority.
For celebrations, we’re happy to offer non-alcoholic options (sparkling, mocktails, special desserts). If you have questions about this policy, please chat with us before your visit.
Yes—when it’s safe to do so, with supervision and at set times. To keep the experience comfortable for everyone:
A quick safety check (medications, mobility, skin/wound status) and consent are required.
Staff supervise all pool/spa use; we may limit numbers or session length to maintain safety.
Please bring swimwear and a towel; shower before entry. No glassware in the area.
For the spa, we keep sessions short and skip it if there are health risks (e.g., open wounds, fever, certain heart conditions).
Weather and other guests’ needs may affect access on the day.
If you’d like, a care partner can join by arrangement.
Contact Us
Address
50 Bilwara Avenue
Phone
+61 431 156 546ABN
85636693822
Operating Hours
Monday - 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Tuesday - 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Wednesday - 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Thursday - 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Friday - 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Saturday - 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Sunday - 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Follow us on instagram @susiemills2019
Activity Programs on offer at Elena House