At a time when more than 800,000 people now live in the UK with dementia, Alan meets Anne and Mike, who have been married for 54 years. For nearly a decade they have been coping with Mike’s increasing dementia and as his condition worsens, their house, with its peculiar layout of rooms, is becoming increasingly difficult to cope with. An even bigger challenge is the garden, which is over a metre below the house and so off limits to Mike.
At a time when Mike needs stimulation and ease of movement, he is in danger of becoming a prisoner in his own home. If the house and garden are not improved he may need to go into a home. So, to connect the garden with the house, Alan and his team redesign the back of the property, putting in a new back door leading to a new outdoor deck with a lift so Mike can finally access the garden. Then architects George and Ewald redesign the layout of the ground floor, setting builder Kunle to work putting in a new kitchen and widening the bedroom so it’s easier for Mike to get around and for the whole family to spend quality time together. Meanwhile, Alan and Katie redesign the garden, adding a new outdoor dining room and play area for the couple’s grandchildren.
Love Your Home And Garden episode 2 2018
For decades, Alan Titchmarsh has tackled some of the toughest backyards in the country to help people achieve their dream of a perfect garden. But in that time he has recognised that for many people, a stand-alone garden is not enough. They dream of a stunning outdoor space, that works hand in hand with their home. For the first time, Alan and his expert team create brand new indoor spaces to compliment the amazing outdoor spaces they have always designed for truly inspirational people. Top architects, builders and gardeners give run-of-the-mill homes a jaw-dropping transformation, for people who truly deserve them.
