What's the difference between a Nursing Home and a Care Home?
Residential Care Home or Nursing Home, what's the difference?
Nursing home or care home, same thing, right? No. Although many people believe that they're just different names for the same thing there are fundamental differences. Firstly we'll look at the similarities and it's easy to see where the confusion lies. Residential care homes and nursing homes both provide accommodation, meals, care and support from staff 24 hours a day. Also you can see a GP in both types of home and both have to be registered, and inspected, by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
So now we know about the similarities, let's move on to the differences:
Residential Care Homes
Residential care homes provide help and support to those unable to remain in their own home even with the aid of a comprehensive support package. Care homes provide service from trained care staff, and give access to visiting District Nurses.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes have qualified nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day to support needs, that are too complex to be met within normal residential homes.
The importance of making the right choice
I have heard people say "ok, so a nursing home must be better, we'll put him/her in one of them". Choosing a nursing home for someone who doesn't need it can have a massively detrimental effect. Care homes are for the most part are all about the empowerment of the individual, for example if a resident can dress themselves then they should be able to choose to do so. They will be allowed as much independence as they can achieve, with the added benefit of a watchfull eye and all the help they need as and when they need it.
Something in between a Care Home and a Nursing Home
Hopefully you now know the difference between a residential care home and a nursing home, but there is an option in between the two. Many care homes specialise in a specific type of care, for example, alzheimers / dementia. Sufferers of these conditions can often be reasonably independent for periods of time so a care home specialising in the condition, and staff specifically trained for their needs could provide more favourable conditions for them than a nursing home.
Making the big decision - Nursing Home or Care Home?
If in doubt ask advice, talk to the managers of the care homes on your shortlist, talk to your relative/loved ones doctor they will be able to give you sound advice.
If you use our FREE care home finder service you'll see that we do not ask whether you need a care home or a nursing home, thats because we analyse your information to ascertain what is best suited for your relative or loved one. You can find the simple find a care home form here.
