Dementia-friendly homes open in Brighton

The 45 self-contained flats at Albion Street aim to allow people with dementia to carry on living independently, while having carers on site around the clock.

Councillor Mo Marsh, mayor of Brighton and Hove, and Councillor Anne Meadows, chair of the council’s housing and new homes committee, met residents at the opening event at Brooke Meade Extra Care scheme.

The development is the first extra care scheme to be built and managed by Brighton and Hove City Council and residents began moving in earlier this year.

It includes a communal lounge, courtyard garden, social activity rooms and laundry.

Brooke Mead is designed for people living with low to moderate dementia, and other people who need a little more care and support.

With a growing number of older people in the city and pressure on adult social care budgets, the scheme will help prevent or delay people needing more expensive residential care, the council said.

Cllr Meadows said: “Brooke Mead is the first extra care scheme of its kind in the city with a real focus on dementia and it is great to see it open and welcoming residents.

“Residents have their own home and their own furniture and possessions around them, but also the reassurance of knowing there is extra help on hand 24/7 if they need it.”

Brooke Mead Extra Care Scheme is part of the council’s New Homes for Neighbourhoods building programme, which has seen 131 new council homes completed in 2017/18.

Agincare has been commissioned to provide on-site care at Brooke Mead, and the council is working with a range of organisations to provide a vibrant programme of social activities at the scheme including music, dance and art sessions.

Some residents recently took part in a graffiti art workshop, organised by Bournemouth University as part of a dementia study, and their creative work was on show at the opening.

For more information about Brooke Mead, including details on how to apply, visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/Brooke-Mead