In England, there will be over 17,000 care facilities housing about 400,000 people by 2021. The majority of these care homes—roughly 70%—are residential care homes, with the remaining 30% serving as nursing homes. The distinction between care homes that operate in a residential setting and those that offer nursing care is unclear to many people. Knowing the difference will help you choose the best location for your loved one when the time comes.
Residential Home
An elderly or vulnerable person can maintain their independence while receiving support as needed in a residential care home. These people might require assistance with mobility, dressing, and other daily tasks. Age-related health problems or disabilities may arise in them, necessitating care from visiting medical professionals. However, it is crucial that they are largely self-sufficient and do not have any serious medical issues that require a nurse practitioner’s full-time attention.
This lifestyle is ideal for those who meet the health and functional standards of ‘low’ care needs. Residents can live an independent daily routine, choosing their own food, activities, and entertainment. They can personalise their rooms to their liking, participate in social and recreational activities, and host visitors at their leisure. The staff is responsible for chores such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry, which alleviates the physical burdens of their daily lives. Hair salons, cafes, libraries, and beautifully landscaped grounds are common features of residential homes.
These care homes are typically staffed by carers who have been trained to attend to the daily needs of the elderly or vulnerable. These requirements may include washing, dressing, feeding, toileting, and medication administration. While staff members are not trained to treat complex medical conditions, residential homes will have effective systems in place to ensure residents can be treated by visiting health professionals and GPs, as well as accompanied to medical appointments, as needed.
There are numerous types of residential care homes in England, varying in size, luxury, and level of care provided. Investigating these options will help ensure that your loved one is placed in the setting that is best suited to their specific needs, with as much or as little intervention as is necessary. Once the right fit is found, a residential care home is an excellent way for an elderly or disabled person to receive 24 hour support and care while still living a meaningful and productive life.
Nursing Home
Nursing homes care for people who have more severe medical conditions that limit their ability to function on a daily basis. A nursing home resident will receive more than just basic care. Fully trained and qualified nurses are on hand to monitor and treat conditions that require constant medical attention. Care plans are tailored to the needs of the individual resident, with specialised equipment and beds frequently required. Many residents are highly dependent, suffering from immobility and a variety of physical or mental disabilities.
While some nursing homes specialise in treating patients with certain diseases or disabilities, such as dementia, mental illness, or cancer, others deal with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities. The obvious benefit of choosing a nursing home that offers specialised care for a particular condition is that they are prepared to handle advanced stages of that disease and may provide that sector with an expert level of care.
Nursing homes are equipped to care for patients with more complex needs while still offering the same round-the-clock assistance and care as residential homes. Because of this, paying for a stay in a nursing home is more expensive than paying for a stay in a residential care facility. In contrast to nursing care facilities, where the average cost of care is higher at £888 per week, residential homes charge an average of £704 per week for care. According to the level of care required and the area you live in, the costs vary, with care homes in London being the most expensive.
Specialist dementia care units
Care homes that specialise in dementia care should be taken into consideration when looking for suitable housing for a person with this condition. However, it is not necessary for this to be a specialised care facility. The term “specialist dementia care units” or “EMI” (short for Elderly Mentally Infirm) refers to the on-site dementia units that are present in many care homes.
This unit will typically be situated on a different floor or wing and staffed around-the-clock by nurses with specialised training. The majority of residents in these facilities will have advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, necessitating more constant care and monitoring. The design of EMI units will take into account the residents’ safety and wellbeing, making use of colours and straightforward floor plans to promote familiarity as well as secure entrances and exits to safeguard wandering residents.
The advantage of having a special unit inside a regular care facility is that residents can switch between them as their care requirements change. A needs assessment is helpful in determining the type of care that is required for you or a loved one. This is arranged with your local authority and has the goal of determining the level of care necessary for the person to live as safely and healthily as possible.
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