The main difference between the two is that a nursing care home offers professional medical attention, whereas a residential care home only provides daily living support.

In general, those who tend to use a nursing care service are those who have been admitted to hospital and need full-time nursing care as an extra option until they can return home, or for those in need of rehabilitation to regain their previous level of independence

Residential care homes are for adults who may need less intensive nursing care in a more relaxed setting than that of a hospital or an NHS care home but do not need the constant attention that they would receive at a nursing home.

Senior citizens are often placed in long-term care either in a nursing home or a residential care home due to specific medical conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s that need 24-hour supervision and specialized care.

Residential care homes offer full-time attention from experienced nurses who can monitor medication and provide healthcare when required, whereas nursing care homes also provide services such as meals and laundry.

Nursing homes can provide their own nursing staff, but residential care homes usually employ the services of an outside agency that specializes in domiciliary (at home) healthcare. The company provides staff who will offer personal care to the residents such as dressing, bathing, and grooming so that they stay clean and tidy. These staff members are also on hand to ensure the safety of their residents, offering assistance in case they should fall or need help in getting in and out of bed.

The Main Differences

Typically those who need nursing care are those who have been admitted to the hospital and require full-time nursing care as an extra option until they can return home, or for those in need of rehabilitation to regain their previous level of independence.

Residential care homes are for adults who may need less intensive nursing care in a more relaxed setting than that of a hospital or an NHS care home, but do not need the constant attention that they would receive at a nursing home.

Senior citizens are often placed in long-term care either in a nursing home or a residential care home due to specific medical conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s that need 24-hour supervision and specialized care.

Residential care homes offer full-time attention from experienced nurses who can monitor medication and provide healthcare when required, whereas nursing care homes also provide services such as meals and laundry.

Nursing homes can provide their own nursing staff, but residential care homes usually employ the services of an outside agency that specializes in domiciliary (at home) healthcare.

The company provides staff who will offer personal care to the residents such as dressing, bathing, and grooming so that they stay clean and tidy. These staff members are also on hand to ensure the safety of their residents, offering assistance in case they should fall or need help in getting in and out of bed.

So which one would you choose?

When it comes to choosing between nursing care homes and residential care homes, it depends on whether you would prefer professional medical attention just around the corner, or if you would prefer a quiet and relaxed atmosphere where your privacy is respected.

However, whatever your preference is, it’s important to know that there are some things both care homes have in common. For example, they both provide catering services and laundry facilities for their clients.

Due to the increased need for domiciliary (at-home) healthcare, more people are opting for residential care homes over nursing care homes due to their lower costs.

If you or a loved one are in need of nursing care, it’s important to choose the right home for you. There are many different types of nursing homes these days that include specialist dementia care homes and physical rehabilitation homes.

Residential care homes offer less qualified staff than nursing care homes who only work part-time but they do offer some 24-hour care. The staff turnover in these homes is higher because of the lower pay and it’s not uncommon to find many different people caring for the residents on a daily basis.