Ada Keating, 98, has joined her eldest son Tom, 80, in the Moss View care home in Liverpool to care for him.
Ada and her late husband Harry had four children: Tom (the one whom she cares for in the care home), Barbara, Margi, and Janet, who died when she was 13 years old.
Ada and her son are inseparable and enjoy spending time together, particularly playing video games and watching Emmerdale. “I say goodnight to Tom in his room every night and I’ll go and say good morning to him,” Ada said.
“They’re very good here and I’m happy to see my mum more now she lives here. She’s very good at looking after me. Sometimes she’ll say ‘Behave yourself!’” Tom said.
Ada’s granddaughter, Debi Higham, says that the two cannot be parted. “It’s reassuring for us that they’re both getting looked after 24/7.” Ada worked as an auxiliary nurse at Mill Road Hospital.
Oftentimes, Ada would go to Tom to bid him good night and even in the morning, she would say good morning.
But Ada doesn’t forget to balance her life. She would go to the hairdressers to take care of herself. When she comes back to the care home, Tom would be there to welcome her with a great big hug.
The mother and son love spending time with each other and doing things together all the time. Ada says she especially likes having a cup of tea with her son.
According to the manager of the care home, Philip Daniels, “It’s very touching to see the close relationship both Tom and Ada share and we are so pleased we were able to accommodate both of their needs.”
When the apostle John reminded us to love one another in 1 John 4:7, he was not just saying this to strangers but as the first reminder to family members.