A Woman Moved Into a Care Home at 98 to Look After Her 80-Year-Old Son
Most people assume that by 98, life slows down. For Ada Keating, it meant making one more significant decision, grounded in a role she had carried for nearly eight decades: being a mother.
In 2017, Ada, then 98, moved into Moss View care home in Huyton, Liverpool. Her son Tom, 80 at the time, had been living there since 2016 because he needed daily support. Ada had been visiting constantly, but visits began to feel too short. She decided to move in.
Tom was born in 1937 and never married. He had lived with his mother his entire life before entering care. Their closeness long predated the care home.
Daily Life Under the Same Roof
Once Ada became a resident, their routine continued. She visited Tom’s room each night to say goodnight and checked on him again in the morning before breakfast. When she left for appointments, he would ask when she was coming back. When she returned, he greeted her with a hug.
They shared meals, played games, and watched Emmerdale. In the evenings, they often sat together with a cup of tea. Staff at Moss View noted how frequently they chose to spend time side by side.
Care home manager Philip Daniels said it is uncommon for a mother and adult child to live together in the same facility.
“You Never Stop Being a Mum”
When the story was reported in October 2017 by outlets including BBC News and The Guardian, Ada summed up her reasoning in a single sentence: “You never stop being a mum.”
Tom expressed similar appreciation. He said he was happy his mother lived there and described the staff as very good. He joked that she still told him to “Behave yourself.”
Their situation drew attention because it challenged expectations about caregiving. Public conversations often center on adult children caring for elderly parents. In this case, Ada continued to look after her son in ways that mattered to both of them.
Their Life Before Moss View
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Before retiring, Tom worked as a painter and decorator for HE Simm building services on Prescot Road. Ada had been an auxiliary nurse at Mill Road Hospital. They were used to responsibility and structure.
Ada and her late husband, Harry, raised four children: Tom, Barbara, Margi, and Janet, who died at 13. Tom, the eldest, stayed at home throughout adulthood. When his health required consistent support in 2016, he moved into Moss View.
Family Support and 24-Hour Care
Family members, including Ada’s granddaughter Debi Higham, visited regularly. Debi said it was reassuring to know both Ada and Tom were receiving care around the clock while remaining together.
Professional staff managed Tom’s medical needs. Ada provided daily companionship and oversight. The arrangement allowed structured care without separating them.
Growing Old Together
Image via pexels/Vlada Karpovich
Longer life expectancy means parents and children can reach an advanced age at the same time. Ada’s decision at 98 shows how family roles can continue across decades. She saw that her son needed support and wanted to stay close. Moving into the care home allowed her to do that.