Is a nursing home or residential home the right choice for your elderly loved one?
When choosing the right care home, the first thing to decide is whether a nursing or residential home is required. A residential home is a safe place where 24-hour care and support are provided. A nursing home is very like a residential care home, the main difference is there are always trained nurses on duty there, so more suitable for those who have a medical condition and need treatment or have been told they have nursing needs.
Below the two types of care homes are described for you coupled with answers to a few of the more frequently asked questions on this topic, to help clarify the next right step on your care journey.
Nursing Home
- There will usually be an option for long or short-term care
- Nurses and carers provide 24-hour support here
- An individual healthcare plan will be designed for each resident
- Specialised care is provided for conditions and life events including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Dementia, postoperative care and strokes
- Social activities will be provided at an appropriate level
Residential Home
- The care is tailored around the individual’s care needs
- Residents are encouraged and supported to be independent
- Social activities are provided but not compulsory
- Care is provided as needed with regard to taking medication, bathing and meal times
Are there other care alternatives that may suit better?
You may wish to consider a few other options before moving into a care home. The alternative options below will primarily be dependent on your level of need.
- Arrange care within your own home, be it with a professional carer or a loved one
- Adapt your home to meet your needs.
- Arrange for a care needs assessment to be taken with a social care professional. They will be able to clarify precisely what you require but also what costs may be covered by your local authority.
- Moving into sheltered housing, which enables you to live independently with available on-site support