Visiting Grandad’s New Home

Author: Virginia Ironside
Illustrator: Hanne Berkaak
Publisher: Barchester Healthcare

A gentle story that uses animal characters to tell the story of a child (Emma) as she adapts to her grandad going to live in a care home. Grandad has dementia and needs the special care the home provides.

Emma visits her grandfather in his new home and gradually gets used to this unfamiliar environment with the help of her mum and the supportive staff there.

This story is available as a free e-book from Barchester Healthcare There is also a very similar e-book available featuring a Grandma with dementia (Visiting Gran’s New Home)

A well-researched and written book with pleasant illustrations which should reassure a child who is anxious about an elderly relative. It covers plenty of important information in a child-friendly way.

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

Change can be challenging for children. Emma loves visiting her grandad in his own home, so when she finds out he has been moved to a care home, it takes her a while to get used to the idea.
It is very sad when a loved one develops dementia. Emma realises that although grandad looks the same, he has changed and the ‘old grandad’ has gone.
Emma is worried that she will get dementia. She is given reassurance that she won’t catch it from Grandad like the flu.

Guidance:

The cause of dementia is unknown. Scientists are working hard to find a cure, but haven’t yet found one.
A person with dementia may shout unexpectedly, repeat things, or not recognise a close friend or relative.
If a person with dementia gets cross with you, it’s not your fault.
Sometimes it isn’t possible for families to look after an elderly/ill relative at home (Emma asks her mum why grandad can’t come and live with them)
Good ways for children to interact with their grandparents include hugs, singing and listening to music together, and sharing memories (pictures and photo albums).
Mum provides paper and pens to keep Emma distracted when Grandad gets confused and angry.

Hope & Inspiration:

Emma finds the care home unsettling at first (strange new smells, lots of people) but she does get used to it and starts to look forward to her visits.
The staff at the care home are very kind and supportive, taking time to talk to Emma and explain about Grandad’s illness. Emma copes with the changes to her family life well and remains positive.