When exploring the care that is on offer for a loved one, it is easy to assume that a care home and nursing home are the same thing, but this is not actually the case. There are some important differences between care homes and nursing homes that you will need to understand in order to decide which is the best option for the care that you or your family needs.
Delve in with us as we take a look at the difference between a care home and a nursing home to help you make the best choices for your own situation.
What is a Care Home?
A care home is often also referred to as residential care. It offers a safe and practical environment for older people who need extra support with things such as personal care, dressing, washing and also providing a programme of activities and daily meals as well as opportunities to socialise with other residents.
This type of home provides daily care and supervision as well as a place to live for those who are not able to live independently in their own home anymore.
This means that residents are able to live safely and that families can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their loved ones have the support that they need on hand at all times of the day and night, ensuring that they can enjoy a better quality of life in their later years. In some cases, care homes may also be able to help manage certain medical conditions, but this will be limited.
The staff in a care home tends to be made-up of experienced care assistants who can provide support with all the needs of the residents as well as helping them to join in with activities or taking them for outings. As the care provided is less specialised than that in a nursing home, the costs can be lower.
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What is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home differs from a care home as it provides registered nursing care for the residents. These are often people who need higher levels of care as they might be frail or have physical or mental health conditions that mean they require medical attention on a day-to-day basis.
Someone might be admitted to a nursing home for a short time in order to recover after being discharged from hospital or as a long-term option for conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
They offer 24-hour medical care for a range of different needs, and registered nurses can create monitored care plans as well as providing some treatments and medical interventions, including administering injections or intravenous medication as well as treating wounds, bed sores or managing operation recoveries. The cost of this level of care can depend on what the individual’s needs are.
In addition to the nursing care that is offered, these nursing homes also provide social activities and entertainment in the same way that care homes do to ensure that there is plenty of enrichment and stimulation for their residents in a number of different ways.
Choosing between a care home or a nursing home will depend on the level of care that is needed for the individual concerned. It is important to look at whether they need help in order to live with day-to-day tasks such as washing, eating and dressing or whether more specialised medical care is required whether over or short or long period of time. Each type of home will provide dedicated care that is tailored to the needs of each resident to ensure that they are given respect, safety, dignity and stimulation at all times.
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Get in Touch
Unsure of which type of care you or your loved one needs? Contact our team today on 01629 760 978 to learn more about our homes and the types of care that we offer and a member of our team will be able to help assess your requirements.
Alternatively, search our homes and learn about the facilities and specialty care options that we have available.
