What’s the difference between a residential care home and a nursing home?

There are considered to be two main types of care homes for the elderly: residential care and nursing care. Often, it’s hard to distinguish the overlap between the two. Care homes have evolved to meet the elderly resident’s changing needs. A person’s needs may increase or even decrease over time, so care homes have now very much developed their staff’s knowledge and skills. Every resident is an individual and has to be treated as such.

This care home development has happened over the years as individuals enter care homes in their later life. So, residential homes have now trained their staff to higher levels than ever before. It has become more apparent that the emphasis is on care and support for the individual resident, and that little nursing care actually needs to be delivered.

We often find people caring for an elderly relative or friend want to understand the differences between residential and nursing homes. There may be implications for funding and continuity of care. So, here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

What’s the definition of a care home?
A care home is a general term for a place where people live and have their care needs met in homely surroundings. This can cover different types of specialist care, including residential care, nursing and retirement homes.

Typically, care homes are for people who need more care than they can get in their own homes, or in supported surroundings. A care home has highly trained staff in the home 24 hours a day who deliver care and support that meets health and social standards. This can include daily activities such as washing, dressing and meals. 

What’s the definition of a nursing home?
A nursing home is a care home with registered nurses on call or on site. They are there to support the residents. In a nursing home, care will include the support you get in all care homes, along with what may be considered additional clinical knowledge. 

What are the key differences between a residential care home and a nursing home?
At a residential home – this may come as a surprise – registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, sometimes on site, on call or from the district nurses. Costs may also be slightly lower, as people who have been assessed for nursing care may have very complex requirements, involving several health care professionals.

On a day-to-day level, residents in a care home may need assistance with dressing, washing, meals and other routines. In a nursing home, the resident will have more complex needs which call for nursing support. This is, of course, provided on an individual basis. In practice, the types of care home overlap. Residents’ needs change, so care homes need to be flexible and adaptive.

Many people believe that entering a nursing home is a more long-term decision. However, this may not be the case, as care homes have evolved so much in the last few years, in terms of training, education and knowledge. Care home staff should be recognised for their skills and expertise as specialists in care for the elderly. Mansfield Care and Fairview Care homes strive to recognise this, providing full and comprehensive learning.

How do we work out which kind of care home is best?
This decision is based on a care needs assessment from the advice of the doctor, health and social services. This means residents that require more intensive care should receive that level of care.

What are the key differences?
The main difference is that in a nursing home, care from registered nurses should be provided 24 hours a day. This may mean that they are not always on site but are always on call. Staffing level should be slightly higher with care staff numbers. This is to assist residents who may have more complex needs. This may lead to additional costs, therefore a higher weekly fee.

What if my relative has dementia?
People with dementia have a range of different needs, so it depends on your specific situation. For example, your relative may simply be confused and forgetful, or have additional mobility needs, or other symptoms such as wandering. So, each case needs to be looked at individually. In all care homes, staff are trained in dementia awareness.

At Mansfield Care and Fairview Care homes, we look after residents at every stage of dementia and have a life-long care ethos.

How does Mansfield Care and Fairview Care look after individuals with changing support needs?
Residents at all our care homes have individual rooms which are designed to be adaptable. Their rooms can be personalised, and each resident has a care plan which is discussed with them, relatives and other professional bodies on a regular basis. This includes their personal preferences and wishes as well as interests, hobbies, and family and friends. We get to know them as individuals and help them to lead their lives as fully as possible.

As time goes on and residents’ health changes, they are involved as much as possible in the process of adaptation. You as a supporting relative, health workers and Mansfield Care staff will discuss the situation and if additional care is needed, this will be agreed.

On a practical level, all rooms can be adapted with equipment such as hoists, beds and equipment, so residents who become less mobile or bed-ridden can stay in their familiar room. However, we believe that continuity of staff and familiar faces is even more important. So, we make the utmost effort to encourage staff retention and loyalty with good pay and conditions, including ongoing training and professional development. This pays dividends for residents, staff and us in terms of low staff turnover and long-term relationships.

A Mansfield Care and Fairview Care home is your home, and we provide lifelong care. So, when residents reach the end of life, we are there for them. General care may eventually transition into specialist palliative care and at each stage, residents are in their familiar surroundings and with familiar support and faces around them where possible. It can be hard to discuss this reality, but as experienced care professionals, we know it is important for relatives to be able to talk to us openly.

What’s the next step?
Once you have had a care needs assessment and have found out about options, you will want to research and visit care homes that look like the best fit for the person you are supporting. You may want to start by checking out our care homes Inspectorate Reports which are available to download from our individual care home pages, and then contacting us or the home direct to arrange a visit.

It goes without saying that you are very welcome to come and spend some time, have lunch, and meet and talk to staff. Each of our care homes is different, and all have a homely, person-centred ethos and community, with exceptional quality of care.

Ready to find out more? Get in touch.