When it comes to finding nursing care for you or your loved one it is important to make the right choice. Nursing homes offer many of the same services as a standard care home but not all care homes offer nursing services. We’ll talk you through what a nursing care home is, what services are offered and what the difference is between a standard care home and a nursing home.
What is a Nursing Care Home?
A nursing care home or nursing home is a care facility that offers medical services on top of standard day-to-day living care such as helping a resident out of bed or helping them dress. Nursing homes often house those with more specific health needs. Often known as skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes can provide care for those with a range of health needs from physical disabilities to conditions such as dementia depending on the home. Nursing care homes typically have at least one registered nurse on-site to provide medical care for residents.
What Are the Different Types of Nursing Home?
There are a few different types of nursing home meaning that each will offer a slightly different service. For example, an EMI nursing home or nursing home for elderly residents may offer different services and specialisms to nursing homes for disabled adults which might cater for younger residents with different care needs.
What Services Do Nursing Care Homes Offer?
Whilst care homes will provide 24-hour care, nursing care homes provide an additional level of care to cater for specific health needs. With a qualified and registered nurse on-site, residents will have access to 24-hour medical care and skilled nursing support meaning residents may not need to go into a hospital to receive medical care.
Many nursing homes have specific specialities such as our brain injury unit, dementia nursing homes or those specialising in care for those who have a disability that requires medical care. In addition to day-to-day care, nursing care homes typically arrange for regular visits from GPs and physiotherapists.
How is a Nursing Home Different to a Care Home?
As mentioned previously, a care home provides care for day-to-day living needs such as those who require additional assistance to move around or dress themselves.
A nursing home, on the other hand, is more centred around medical care such as for those who require a feeding tube or specific medical treatment to enable them to live healthily. This helps to define nursing home from care home. Nursing care can be suitable for those who require intensive rehabilitation following a stroke, for example.
Both homes however will engage in activities and events to care for residents’ mental wellbeing as well as their physical wellbeing and make sure they are keeping active whilst catering for their specific needs.
What Are the Most Common Reasons the Elderly Are Placed in a Nursing Home?
Some of the main reasons elderly residents move to a nursing home is because they require 24-hour medical care and are either unable to care for themselves at home or require a more advanced level of care than a standard care home. Elderly residents might require more intensive short-term care or longer-term care as part of a debilitating condition such as dementia or Alzheimers. If the individual is completely unable to care for themselves and needs round-the-clock care to help them function, a nursing home is often the best place for them to reside
Why is it Important to Choose the Correct Nursing Home?
If you or your loved one requires medical care, it is vital you choose a nursing care home rather than a standard residential home. Whilst a standard care home will provide a high level of care, they will not be specifically trained to provide medical care or have the facilities to do so. A nursing home will be much better equipped to provide proper medical care.
Not all nursing homes provide care for the same conditions however so it is important to do your research and choose a nursing home that provides care for your specific needs. For example, if you are looking for a care home that provides care for those with dementia-related conditions, a dementia nursing home would be the ideal fit. If you are looking for a care home to care for someone with complex mental or physical disability needs, a care home specialising in that type of care would be most appropriate.
What Nursing Care Homes Do Select Healthcare Offer?
Select Healthcare provides a wide range of nursing homes across England and provides only the highest level of care with dedicated specialisms at each home. To find out more about our nursing care homes, visit our nursing home page now or contact our team to find out more.
