🏥 Family Illness
When illness affects someone in the family, it can be a worrying and confusing time — especially for children.
As a parent, you may be caring for a loved one while also supporting your child’s emotional needs. But how much should you say? What’s the right way to explain it?
📋 Step 1: Make a Plan
✅ Understand the illness – Is it short-term, long-term, or life-limiting?
📚 Gather resources – See local and national links below
🗣️ Use age-appropriate language – A child’s emotional age may differ from their actual age
💬 Be honest, but gentle – Keep things clear without overwhelming them
If the illness is terminal, please visit our dedicated page on Grief and Loss.
🎗️ Talking About Specific Conditions
🎗️ Cancer
For support and local services:
🔗 Visit Local Healthwatch
You’ll find links to:
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National cancer charities
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Local counselling and family support services
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Advice for carers and children
🧠 Dementia
👵 Dementia can be confusing for children. Here’s where to find support:
📍 Council Dementia Advisor
🔗 What is dementia?
💬 Support for Families:
🔗 Support for People Living with Dementia
🔗 Support for Carers
🧾 A Carer’s Assessment can help identify what support your family might need.
🦽 Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
🧒 Explaining MS to a child? These organisations offer helpful tools and guides:
📘 MS Trust – Talking to Children About MS
🌐 MS Society – Explaining MS
📰 National MS Society (US) – Kids’ Newsletter & More
🏥 Going Into Hospital
Whether it’s a parent or child going into hospital, preparation can ease fear and anxiety.
✅ Plan what you will say
💬 Talk with doctors or nurses – ask if they have leaflets or resources
🍲 Prepare for the return home (meals, comfort items, treats)
🧑⚕️ Helpful Resources:
📄 NHS – Hospital Visits Plan on a Page
🏥 Great Ormond Street – Child-Friendly Guides
🧸 Evelina Ward – Guy's & St. Thomas’ Hospital
👵 Keeping Older Relatives Safe & Well
If you’re caring for an elderly family member, these organisations may help:
The Carents Room | Helping You Care For Parent
Information & support to help you navigate what you need to care for your elderly parent.
https://www.agespace.org › ... › Elderly Care
Find out how to make it safer for elderly relatives living at home in Kent. Including local initiatives, mobility aid products in Kent & more.
https://kent.connecttosupport.org
The Hub - information for care providers in Kent. To support care managers from all older people, adult, learning disability and mental health care services.
🤝 Becoming a Carer
A carer is anyone who looks after a friend or family member who cannot manage without support. You could become a carer at any time — and so could your child.
🌍 Visit the Carers’ Public Health Portal
🧒 Includes links for Young Carers
🏡 Help with finances, emotional support, and practical care
If you’re struggling to explain a diagnosis, care needs, or how life may change for your child — please reach out. Our team is here to help support your whole family. 💙