Nursing and residential care homes

– What is the difference?

A residential care home is a care home of any size, which offers accommodation, meals and personal care. Residential homes offer care and support throughout the day and night. Staff in a residential care home can help you with washing, dressing, at meal times and going to the toilet.

In a residential care home you will be cared for by suitably qualified or experienced staff. A nursing care home is similar to a residential care home and will also offer accommodation, meals and personal care. The difference between a nursing care home and a residential care home is that a nursing care home also offers 24-hour care under the supervision of a qualified nurse. Some care homes are dual registered. This means that the home can accommodate people needing either residential or nursing care. If you choose to move into a dualregistered home for your residential care you may not need to move to another home if you develop nursing needs.

Which type of home is best for me?

The choice of home is a very personal one and what suits one person may not suit another. You have the right to choose any home you like as long as adult social care agree four key points:

• There is a place available

• It is suitable for your care needs

• Adult social care can agree a contract with the owner of the care home to ensure that you are properly cared for

• The home does not cost more than adult social care usually pays for the care you need, or if it does someone else can pay the difference.

It is important to choose the right type of care home. It is vital that the care home that you choose can offer you the level of support that you need.

If you ask us for advice or an adult social care assessment we will talk to you, your carers, and your family and friends about what level of support you need and what type of care home we think would best meet your needs.

We may also involve the NHS if we think that you may need support with health needs.

Paying for your own residential or nursing care

Even if you plan to pay for your own residential or nursing care or think that you may not be able to receive financial help from us, you can still ask us for advice and an adult social care assessment.

Adult social care may pay for your care if you have less than £23,250. To find out more look at our website.

If you choose to have an adult social care assessment it will help you to decide what kind of care will best meet your needs. We may be able to tell you about other