 |
| Help children understand when family move to care home |
Collaborative post by another author.
When a loved one moves into a care home, adults often carry quiet worries about how children will understand the change. Kids can hear words like “care,” “home,” or “moving” and imagine something final or frightening. Without guidance, they may see care homes as places where people disappear, rather than places where life continues in a different way.
Helping children understand care homes as places of living, not leaving, is about honesty, reassurance and framing the move as part of ongoing family life. This guide walks you through how to explain the transition in a way that feels safe, positive and age-appropriate.
Children often take words very literally. As the language you use shapes how they picture what is happening, instead of saying someone is “going away” or “can’t live at home anymore,” focus on what the care home provides:
Children sense when adults avoid the truth. Rather than giving vague explanations, keep things simple and clear.
For younger children, you might say:
“Gran is moving to a place where people can help her feel safe and comfortable every day.”
For older children:
“Grandad needs more help than we can give at home, and this place has trained people who can support him properly.”
Honesty builds trust and helps children feel secure, even when the situation is new.
Change can feel scary because children fear loss, so make sure to reassure them by highlighting what will not change. Let them know:
Abstract ideas are harder for children to understand. Therefore, bringing the care home into their imagination makes it feel less unknown. If possible, show photos of the care home and follow this up with a conversation about the available shared spaces, gardens, or activities, or even what a typical day for their loved one will look like. You might mention meals, hobbies and social time for example, during this talk.
Many modern care homes are lively, welcoming environments focused on daily living and wellbeing. Exploring providers such as Signature Care Homes, who are opening a home in Hornchurch in June 2026, can help families understand how care homes are designed to support active, meaningful lives.
Giving children a role helps them feel included rather than pushed aside. You could invite them to draw a picture or write a note for the new room, or even choose a familiar item to bring along. Depending on your child, you might like to involve them in planning that first visit, including letting them suggest activities they enjoy doing together when seeing each other. These actions reinforce the idea that the care home is part of family life, not separate from it.
Children may not know how to express confusion, sadness, or worry right away. This is why you should create space for questions, even if they repeat themselves.
Let them know:
Children often mirror adult emotions. If you speak about the care home with calm confidence and openness, children are more likely to accept the change without fear. You do not need to hide sadness or complexity, but showing reassurance helps children feel anchored and safe.
Helping children understand care homes as places of living, not leaving, is about honesty, reassurance and framing the move as part of ongoing family life. This guide walks you through how to explain the transition in a way that feels safe, positive and age-appropriate.
Step 1: Start With the Right Language
- A new place to live
- More help with everyday tasks
- People around to support them
- Activities and routines that keep life enjoyable
Step 2: Explain the Reason Simply and Honestly
Children sense when adults avoid the truth. Rather than giving vague explanations, keep things simple and clear.
For younger children, you might say:
“Gran is moving to a place where people can help her feel safe and comfortable every day.”
For older children:
“Grandad needs more help than we can give at home, and this place has trained people who can support him properly.”
Honesty builds trust and helps children feel secure, even when the situation is new.
Step 3: Emphasise What Stays the Same
Change can feel scary because children fear loss, so make sure to reassure them by highlighting what will not change. Let them know:
- Visits will still happen
- Phone calls, video chats and letters are still possible
- Family traditions can continue
- The relationship they have with their loved one remains the same
Step 4: Make the Care Home Feel Real and Familiar
Abstract ideas are harder for children to understand. Therefore, bringing the care home into their imagination makes it feel less unknown. If possible, show photos of the care home and follow this up with a conversation about the available shared spaces, gardens, or activities, or even what a typical day for their loved one will look like. You might mention meals, hobbies and social time for example, during this talk.
Many modern care homes are lively, welcoming environments focused on daily living and wellbeing. Exploring providers such as Signature Care Homes, who are opening a home in Hornchurch in June 2026, can help families understand how care homes are designed to support active, meaningful lives.
Step 5: Involve Children in Small Ways
Giving children a role helps them feel included rather than pushed aside. You could invite them to draw a picture or write a note for the new room, or even choose a familiar item to bring along. Depending on your child, you might like to involve them in planning that first visit, including letting them suggest activities they enjoy doing together when seeing each other. These actions reinforce the idea that the care home is part of family life, not separate from it.
Step 6: Encourage Questions and Feelings
Children may not know how to express confusion, sadness, or worry right away. This is why you should create space for questions, even if they repeat themselves.
Let them know:
- It’s okay to feel unsure or upset
- There are no wrong questions
- Their feelings matter
Step 7: Model a Positive, Calm Attitude
Children often mirror adult emotions. If you speak about the care home with calm confidence and openness, children are more likely to accept the change without fear. You do not need to hide sadness or complexity, but showing reassurance helps children feel anchored and safe.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments
Thanks for your comment (unless it's spam in which case, why?)