Choosing the right long-term residential care for your loved one is a significant decision that deserves care consideration. One common question that family and friends will ask when looking for care services is “What is the difference between a care home and a nursing home?”.

There are a few things that separate the two, but the main difference between a care home and a nursing home relates to the level of care that is provided. Nursing homes tend to offer 24-hour care with qualified nurses on site, while residential care homes also offer round-the-clock care with fully trained care assistants but are less medically oriented. Both care homes and nursing homes provide accommodation and support for older adults or those with specific needs. These types of facilities are the most common options for long-term care in the UK, so to help you make the right choice, let’s delve into what differentiates a care home from a nursing home.

 

What Do Care Homes Provide?

Care homes, often referred to as residential care homes, are designed to provide personal care and assistance with daily living. When it comes to the difference between a care home and a nursing home, at Select Healthcare, our care homes cater to individuals who may need help with tasks like bathing, dressing, using the toilet, meal preparation and accessing the community.

Typically, residents in care homes are relatively independent but require some level of non-medical support. In our care homes across England and Wales, we provide 24-hour care to those who will struggle to maintain their independence due to poor mobility, old age or other health conditions. Care homes often specialise in providing dedicated care services such as mental health care and learning disability care to name a few. They also provide stimulating daily activities often geared towards maintaining or learning new life skills. Overall, residential care homes offer accommodation, practical personal care and support that promotes independence in all aspects of day-to-day life.
 

What Do Nursing Homes Provide? 

In contrast, a care home with nursing aka a nursing home is mainly for individuals needing constant medical care outside of a hospital environment. When considering care homes vs nursing homes, Select Healthcare nursing homes offer similar services to our residential care homes. However, care homes with nursing have care assistants and registered nurses on duty 24 hours a day to provide ongoing medical attention. Residents in nursing homes often have serious health conditions and complex needs that sometimes require specialist equipment and treatment. They can spend a lot of their time bed-bound and mobility aids like hoists and wheelchairs are frequently used to assist their movement around the home.

Many of our nursing homes offer specialist care such as palliative care, physical disability care and dementia care and often coordinate with external healthcare professionals such as GPs, therapists and district nurses to provide a holistic level of care. Overall, nursing homes provide accommodation and a higher level of support with expert medical care which can include access to medical equipment to support mobility and improve the quality of life.

Care Home Staff Vs Nursing Home Staff

In residential care homes, the staff team primarily consists of care assistants and support workers who typically assist with non-medical tasks. In some situations, care home staff are trained to assist in administering certain medications (usually in tablet or liquid form) to residents who can’t complete the task alone. In cases where residents need scheduled medication such as depot injections for slow-release antipsychotic medication, a district nurse is called to address that need. 

Nursing home staff are usually care assistants and fully qualified nurses with a range of skills that enable them to support the changing needs of residents. This ensures that residents with complex medical needs receive the necessary care 24/7.

Does Regulation and Inspection Differ in Care Homes and Nursing Homes?

Both care homes and nursing homes are subject to regulation and inspection to ensure they meet certain standards of safety and quality of life. All reputable care facilities in England are registered with the Care Quality Commission or CQC which oversees both types of facilities in England. They carry out inspections and will rate homes as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.

Nursing homes often have stricter standards due to the medical services they offer. Some care facilities are dual-registered care homes which means they offer both residential and nursing care in the same establishment. Dual-registered care homes are ideal for individuals who initially only need residential care but may require nursing care in the future as their needs change.

Care Home Costs vs Nursing Home Costs

Another difference between a care home and a nursing home is the cost. Care fees can vary depending on the location and services offered. Nursing home costs are generally higher than residential care home costs due to the increased staffing levels, the specialised medical care and the equipment they provide in nursing facilities.

In some cases, those with long-term complex needs may receive fully funded nursing home care through NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments. If nursing care is required while someone is in a residential care home, nursing care can be funded through NHS Funded Nursing Care. Visit our “Who Pays For Your Care” page dedicated to care fees and funding. 

How to Find a Care Home or Nursing Home

Select Healthcare has several purpose-built nursing homes and care facilities across England making it easy for you to find a suitable home nearby. We've put together a quick guide to choosing a care home or nursing home in our blog here but we've also listed a few care homes vs nursing homes below to help.

Our Nursing Homes

Here are a few nursing homes with the Select Healthcare group:

• Aldergrove Manor Care Home - Wolverhampton, West Midlands
• Beech Tree Nursing Home - Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Benton House Nursing Home - Doncaster, South Yorkshire
• Island Court Care Home - Bilston, West Midlands
• Rhosyn Melyn Care Home - Wrexham, Wales

You can browse our nursing care services to find more nursing homes.

Our Care Homes

Here are some of the residential care homes within the Select Healthcare group:

• Ashleigh Court Care Home - Wrexham, Wales
• Briery Lodge Care Home - Shrewsbury, Shropshire
• Broughton Hall Care Home - Wrexham, Wales
• Greenleigh Care Home - Dudley, West Midlands
• Ramsgate Care Centre - Ramsgate, Kent

Find out more about our residential care homes.

 

Contact the Nursing and Care Home Specialists

When it comes to choosing the right care home for a relative, it's always best to talk to the experts. The friendly staff at Select Healthcare are happy to answer any questions you may have to help you make the right choice for your loved one.

For more information about the differences between care homes and nursing homes, contact our knowledgeable team today.

 

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