Bristol, UK - The Difference Between Residential Care & Nursing Care

There are lots of differences between Residential Care & Nursing Care and often people don’t always know which is the best option for themselves, family members, friends or loved ones. We can tell you everything you need to know and everything you should consider when making a decision about whether to choose a residential care or nursing home.

The terms Residential Care & Nursing Care are often confused as many people don’t understand the differences between the two. The one that you choose will depend on an individual’s care and medical needs both now and in the future.

Both residential care and nursing care provide 24-hour personal care to residents within a homely setting, it will include meals, snacks, laundry, cleaning as well as personal care, including help with tasks such as bathing, shaving and dressing if needed, around the clock. In addition to this, nursing care also provides 24 hours nursing care and support and it is suited to individuals with more complex and ongoing medical conditions and needs.

Both residential and nursing homes can be privately owned and run by individuals, a company that owns and runs a group of homes or they can be run by local councils.

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What is a Residential Care Home?

A residential care home provides 24-hour personal care and support for people who need help with daily tasks, such as washing, dressing or eating. They are suited for individuals who don’t have ongoing medical conditions which require more complex and regular medication administration or nursing support. Residential care can be provided on a short-term basis as a break for an individual, or on a long-term, permanent basis if an individual can no longer manage on their own. In some cases, people will also move into a residential care home if they are feeling lonely, isolated or unsafe at home.

Residential care homes have a team on duty 24 hours a day and this will include a number of qualified care assistants with Level 2 or 3 NVQs who are trained to provide the personal care and support residents need. A residential care home has to be run by someone with a Registered Managers Award or an equivalent management qualification and experience.

What is a Nursing Care Home?

Nursing Care Homes provide 24-hour care and support for their residents much like a residential care home does. They have carers and care assistants with Level 2 or 3 NVQ’s on duty, along with the added support of registered nurses on hand 24 hours a day.

The specialist medical care provided by a Nursing Home is 24/7 and is suited to individuals with long term health and medical conditions which need monitoring and support with. The registered nurses are trained to identify symptoms and changes to residents’ conditions and treat them or recognise when they need to call for a GP or other medical support. Even though a nursing home is more medically focused the accommodation includes individual en-suite bedrooms, shared communal facilities focusing on having a home from home feel.

If you are under the care of one or more medical professionals then this would indicate that nursing care is needed rather than residential care.

Find out everything you need to know about The Difference Between Residential Care & Nursing Care here: www.bristolcarehomes.co.uk/residential-care-nursing-care/