Inspector Morse star opens HA's new building for dementia sufferers

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Development

Kevin Whately, who played Lewis in TV's Inspector Morse, has opened a new build for people living with dementia by Aragon Housing Association.

Flowers House in Milton Keynes will provide separate apartments for 34 people and offer round the clock care. Mr Whately - whose mother, Mary, died with dementia in 2009 - opened the building in his capacity as Ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society.

The actor said: “Before my mother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's, I had heard of the disease, but hadn't known anyone who had suffered from it. I know how devastating Alzheimer's, and any form of dementia is for the person diagnosed and their families. I think Flowers House is a great addition to the services and support already available to people living with dementia in Milton Keynes and am happy to lend my support to its opening.“

The new £3.2m unit - which is a partnership between Milton Keynes Council and Aragon - has been named after Tommy Flowers, whose work at the world famous Bletchley Park led to the building of the code-breaking machine, Colossus. Tommy Flowers surviving son and daughter-in-law were among over a 100 guests who arrived to celebrate the opening.

The need for the scheme was identified by the council’s Adult Social Care team, due to the increasing number of older residents living with dementia. It is intended to provide housing for residents, who have moderate needs, to allow them to live their lives as independently as possible, in a safe supported environment. The scheme was made possible with a £2.4m grant from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Cllr Debbie Brock, the Cabinet Member responsible for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, said: “Milton Keynes Council identified a need for such a setting which offers an alternative choice to the more traditional care settings. This partnership sees a pioneering offer for residents of Milton Keynes that we could well see being adopted around the country.”