MHA launch Illustrated book to help children understand life in a care home

Finding Nana, an illustrated fictional book aimed at helping children to navigate the emotional journey when an elderly relative moves into care, has launched at a Croydon care home.

The book is understood to be the first of its kind. While there are books to help children and young people understand what happens if someone is diagnosed with dementia, none of them tackle the issue of a loved one going to live in a care home.

Authored by Jenni Bacon, with illustrations by Sophie Parmenter, Finding Nana has been created by national care charity MHA in partnership with the Methodist Church. It follows the story of Ellie and Jack as they discover what happens when their Nana moves into ‘the Care Home.’

The idea for the book came from the late Crispian Acher, Head of Chaplaincy at MHA, who sadly died suddenly as the book was being published. He realised in conversations with colleagues that there was nothing available to help children if an older relative went to live in a care home.

Rev Gill Newton, President of the Methodist Conference, and Sam Monaghan, Chief Executive of MHA, were both in attendance at the book launch, which took place at MHA’s Hall Grange care home.

They were joined by a group of Year 7 students from local school, Shirley Oasis Academy, and residents living at the home, who heard more about why the story was written and enjoyed a reading from the book.

Finding Nana shares the questions and concerns that two children have as they visit their Nana in a care home for the first time. They discover that care homes can be places to live life to its fullest and have fun, where people can do the things they enjoy and make new friendships.

The story is based on real-life experiences, with author Jenni having spent time speaking to care home residents and their family members, as well as MHA chaplains. Feedback from school children and their parents and people who worked in MHA care homes helped to shape the book.

Sam Monaghan, Chief Executive at MHA, said: “Visiting a care home can be a daunting experience for anyone – but it’s particularly unsettling for younger children when they see someone they love moving into care.

“Finding Nana aims to help families have honest and positive conversations about this experience. It also shines a light on the fantastic and unique work that our chaplaincy team does in supporting our residents and their families.”

Author Jenni Bacon spoke with MHA families as part of her research before writing the book. She said: “It was a privilege to be given an insight into the emotions families go through before someone moves into a care home and in particular the thoughts of children and young people.

“The feedback we got from children, parents and teachers was invaluable in making Finding Nana such a wonderful story to support families.”

Rev Gill Newton added: “As the Methodist Church in Britain we were delighted to collaborate with MHA and sponsor Finding Nana. It is a unique book which not just tells the story of Ellie and her nana but one which also spotlights the role a chaplain plays in supporting not just residents but their families.”

Finding Nana is available to purchase via Methodist Publishing. For every copy sold, donations will be made to MHA’s specialist services, care homes and community living schemes – helping to support thousands more people to live later life well.