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When the person you look after moves into a care home

When someone you look after moves into a care home, it can be a very difficult time and it can feel very strange not having them to look after at home. You might be a bit unsure why the person you look after has moved into a care home, or maybe you are worried about them, or maybe you are relieved that they are going to be looked after by professionals. However you feel, it can be hard not seeing someone you are close to as much anymore.

But remember, even if your loved one moves into a care home, you may still be a young carer. You may still spend a lot of time visiting the person in their care home, helping with bits and bobs and keeping the person company. Although you may feel guilty for stopping looking after your loved one at home, it is important to remember that you can only do so much as a young carer and it may be that your loved one moving into a care home is the best decision for them, you and the whole family.

Just because a loved one has moved into a care home doesn’t mean you have to lose contact with them. You could send them a letter, paint them a picture or collect some photographs to share with them.

More help and advice:

The Relatives & Residents Association has some great advice on talking to your loved one about moving into a care home and more. They also have a helpline for carers who may feel guilty about stopping caring, need advice on the next steps and more.

The Carers Trust has some great advice on caring for someone in a care home around benefits, carers assessments and more.

Community First: Youth Action Wiltshire is the ‘youth arm’ of Wiltshire based charity Community First. They work with young carers, young adult carers (aged 5 to 19), and their families in Wiltshire through a dedicated Wiltshire Young Carers Service. You can get in touch with them by emailing wiltshireyoungcarers@youthactionwiltshire.org, or calling 01380 720 671.