If you are looking for a care setting for yourself or a family member, you may find the terminology confusing.
Some care settings in your local area may use the name ‘care home’, or ‘residential home’ while others may carry the name ‘nursing home’.
But what is the difference? And should you be looking for a care home, a nursing home, or residential care home, for your family member?
At Birtley House, we aim to make life as simple as possible for our prospective residents and their families by explaining the terminology.
This guide explains the nuances behind each name.
What is the difference between a care home and a nursing home?
A care home is a generic term that broadly covers all types of residential care facilities and is defined as, “a small institution providing accommodation and care for people who are unable to look after themselves.” On the other hand, a nursing home provides a setting for individuals who require specialist medical care, with registered nurses on site throughout the day and night to administer that care.
We have summarised the main key differences below, to help you choose the correct medical care setting for your loved one.
Some care homes are run by local councils, while others are privately owned by either a company or a family – such as Birtley House, which is owned and run by the Whalley family.
Care Home vs Nursing Home
|
Criteria |
Care Home (Residential Care) |
Nursing Home |
Birtley House Care Home/Nursing Home |
|
Definition |
A facility providing accommodation and personal care support for people who are unable to look after themselves. |
A facility that offers both accommodation and specialised medical care, with registered nurses on-site 24/7. |
Birtley House offers both residential and nursing care in a homely setting, ensuring a seamless transition between care types as needs evolve. |
|
Care Provided |
24-hour support by trained care assistants, including help with daily tasks like dressing, washing, and feeding. |
24-hour medical care, administered by registered nurses, including managing complex health conditions. |
Provides a holistic approach with personalised care plans, catering to both general care and specialist medical needs. |
|
Typical Residents |
Individuals who need help with daily living but do not have significant medical needs. Often older adults with age-related conditions. |
Individuals with more complex or chronic medical needs that require constant monitoring or specialised treatment. |
Residents range from those needing general support to those requiring continuous medical care. |
|
Facilities |
Comfortable living environment, meals, entertainment, and social activities designed to ensure a home-like atmosphere. |
Specialist medical equipment, such as beds, mobility aids, and other medical devices, in addition to meals and social activities. |
Provides modern, comfortable facilities, including spaces for social activities and access to medical equipment as needed. |
|
Flexibility of Care |
May not be able to accommodate significant changes in health needs without transferring residents to another facility. |
Can adapt to a wide range of health conditions without requiring residents to move to a different facility. |
Offers both care levels under one roof, reducing the need for transfers if a resident’s care needs change. |
|
Example Situations |
Suitable for someone who is primarily independent but needs help with daily tasks like medication management and mobility. |
Ideal for individuals suffering from physical frailty, severe dementia, or other conditions that require skilled medical attention. |
Tailors care plans to individual needs, allowing residents to receive the appropriate level of support as their health evolves. |
|
Ownership and Management |
Can be run by local councils, private companies, or families. |
Typically privately run, with more stringent medical oversight required. |
Privately owned by the Whalley family, emphasising a personal, home-from-home approach. |
Is a nursing home better than a residential home?
There is no clear answer to this question as each person has individual needs, and each care setting provides different services.
It is best to choose a care setting that meets the needs of each individual.
Some care homes, such as Birtley House in Bramley, near Guildford, provide residential care and nursing care.
This type of care home setting offers many advantages, including the avoidance of upset and upheaval if a resident’s needs require them to move from residential care to nursing.
As a reputable residential home and nursing home, we pride ourselves on our home-from-home approach.
Focusing on bespoke personalised care, we help new residents the transition from their home to Birtley House.
This approach helps residents to feel that they have simply move home rather than moved into a home.
What other types of care do care homes offer?
Some care homes offer more than residential care and/or nursing care.
Additional types of care include:
Independent living
Some care homes offer accommodation to residents who wish to live more independently. Birtley House is one such example, offering independent living within its Mews apartments.
This unique development of eight apartments offers an independent lifestyle for those not requiring care, but with support on hand should a resident require it.
Privately owned and self-contained accommodation is sometimes located within the grounds of the care home.
This type of accommodation is well suited to individuals who do not have nursing or care needs generally but need help with household maintenance and cleaning, for example.
Independent living provides peace of mind – knowing that help is on hand should a resident require it but allowing them to live in a self-contained space.
Private dining, social activities, and other facilities are often included in this type of care scenario.
Respite care and rehabilitation
Respite care is short-term care provided at a care home.
It is a welcome choice amongst those recovering from an illness, an accident, or from surgery – or for caregivers looking for a break from caregiving.
At Birtley House, our respite packages are very popular. Visitors love to rest and recuperate at our peaceful care home, set within 48-acres of the Surrey Hills landscape.
Our beautiful, lake, gardens, and woodland at Birtley House provide the ideal location for respite care thanks to the breath-taking scenery and open spaces.
To learn more about our personalised care offering, please read our CQC report giving you all the latest information from our latest visit.
Birtley House is a care home in Surrey offering residential care, nursing care, respite care and independent living. Family-run for almost 90 years, Birtley House offers exceptional private nursing care. If you are interested in finding out more about Birtley House Nursing Home, please email: info@birtleyhouse.co.uk or call 01483 892055