If you believe a loved one would benefit from professional care, it is important that you find them the appropriate level of care they need. This means you should know the difference between care homes and nursing homes, as they both provide different types of care.

In this article, we are going to look at all the differences between a nursing home and a residential care home, so you have all the information you need when arranging care for an elderly loved one.
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Why is it important to know the difference between care homes and nursing homes?

Care homes and nursing homes both serve two very distinct purposes. While there is some crossover, if you have a loved one who requires care, it is likely that they would benefit from one more than the other.

Of course, everyone’s individual needs are different, but if your loved one needs general assistance or has a small amount of cognitive decline, they may suit a care home. If your loved one has a disability or long-term illness, or requires ongoing specialist care offered by a medical professional, they may be better suited in a nursing home.

Below, we will take a detailed look at each, including their purpose, the care services they provide, and the pros and cons of each.

The primary purpose of care homes

The focus of a care home is to offer the care and facilities that your elderly loved one may need for them to continue living comfortably and independently. This includes ensuring they are safe and secure, eat three freshly-cooked meals a day, have access to activities and social interaction, and receive personalised, one-on-one care throughout the day.
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Services provided in care homes

Care homes provide your loved one with the assistance they need so they can maintain a high quality of life but with a helping hand from a team of dedicated and experienced professionals. The services offered by a care home include:

• Assistance with daily activities
• Medication management
• Nutritional support
• Mental and physical stimulation
• Housekeeping services
• Laundry services
• Personal care and grooming
• Health monitoring
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The pros and cons of care homes

Pros

• Professional care
• A home from home
• Assistance with daily activities
• Social interaction and activities
• Retained independence
• Freshly-cooked, nutritionally balanced food
• Safety and security
• Respite for caregivers

Cons

• Potential short-term upset and confusion
• An adjustment period
• The cost
• Possible feelings of guilt for relatives
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The primary purpose of nursing homes

The focus of a nursing home is to provide round-the-clock care to residents who have long-term or complex medical needs and require supervision by a qualified nurse. This is to ensure there is always assistance available so your loved one can receive the care they need and manage any symptoms, discomfort or pain they may have.

Not only does a nursing home provide medical care, it also offers the care your loved one needs to be as comfortable as possible and take part in the activities and social occasions they enjoy. This ensures they receive the care they need from a physical and mental point of view as well.
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Services provided in nursing homes

Nursing home residents will receive all of the services that care home residents will, including freshly cooked meals, regular activities, housekeeping and laundry services and more. In addition to this, your loved one will also receive:

• 24/7 care from a qualified nurse
• One-on-one, personalised medical care
• Rehabilitation services
• Pain and symptom management
• Palliative and end-of-life care if required
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Pros and cons of nursing homes

Pros

• Around-the-clock medical care
• Safety and security
• Rehabilitation services
• Social interaction and activities
• Retained independence
• Respite for caregivers

Cons

• Short-term upset and frustrations
• An adjustment period
• Reduced privacy
• The cost

Factors to consider when choosing between care homes and nursing homes

When making the difficult decision about whether to move a loved one into a care home or nursing home, there are certain factors to consider that should help you make the right choice:

• What is the level of care they require? Do they have a serious or long-term illness that may require the care of a nurse at any point throughout the day?
• Do they still retain their independence or do they require constant care? If they only require assistance occasionally, they may only require a care home.
• What are the preferences of you and your loved one? They may prefer to live in one type of residential home over another.
• What facilities are available in your chosen area? If you cannot travel and it prevents you from visiting you may have limited choices.
• What is the quality of care you expect? Some care and nursing homes may offer different quality of care, so ensure it aligns with your expectations.
• What safety and security measures are needed? For example, if your loved one has cognitive decline they may wander, and care homes may not always have the relevant security processes in place.
• What are your expectations surrounding cost? Due to the increased level of care, nursing homes often cost more than care homes.
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Enquire today

Now that you know the difference between care homes and nursing homes, you may be better positioned to find the appropriate care for your loved one.

Here at Ashberry Care Homes, we have a network of caring and affordable care and nursing homes across the UK providing experienced and dedicated care services. To find out more about how we can support your loved one, contact us today.