When illness affects our family it can be a worrying time.  Parents often become carers for friend and relatives as well as their children.  Explaining to children that a family member is ill is always difficult.  What do you say?  How much do you share?

 

1. The first step is to have a plan
2. Find out as much as you can - be clear on whether it is a short or long-term illness or whether it will be life-limiting.
3. Tap into local resources (see the information below)
4. Use age appropriate language (REMEMBER: A child's emotional age may be lower than their actual age)

 

If the illness is terminal, please see our pages on grief an loss.

Cancer

For support and resources visit the Local Healthwatch website for more information.  You will find links to local as well as national charities.

 

Dementia

You can get advice from the council's dementia advisor by visiting this website: 

https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/dementia-support/what-dementia

 

Local dementia services are run out from Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults but there are some useful webpages: 

 

• Advice and Support - https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/dementia-support/support-people-living-dementia
• Support for Carers for people with Dementia - https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/dementia-support/support-carers.  A carer's assessment will look at current and potential support needs. 

 

Multiple Sclerosis

A useful booklet on talking to children about MS can be found on the MS Trust website.

The MS Society also has useful pages on how to explain this illness to children.

The National MS Society is an American organisation but also has some useful resources inclusing a children's newsletter.

Going into hospital

If a child is going into hospital there are several online resources to help you plan and reduce fears and anxieties.

• Plan what you are going to say
• Get advice from your health professionals - the hospital may have websites or leaflets for you to use
• Prepare for a return home - food in the freezer and treats

Online resources

• The NHS website has a plan on a page on their website
• Great Ormond Street has a webpage dedicated to hospital visits
• The Evelena ward at Guys and St Thomas's Hospital London also have dedicated resources

Keeping older relatives safe and well

If you are worried about an older relative, there are a number of resources and support offers to consider. 

• The Council's website has information on council support services
• Bracknell Forest Help Yourself offers a directory of services
• Forest Care provides local support and services to keep older people safe at home
• Age Concern Bracknell Forest is a local charity offering support for older people
• Age UK Berkshire also offers support in the Bracknell area

Caring responsibilities

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for another person who cannot cope without support in their day-to-day life.  Anyone can become a carer at any time. 

 

Visit the Public Health Portal Carers' page for information and links to local, national and council support offers.  This includes a link for Young Carers.