What is The Difference Between Residential Care & Nursing Care?

What is Residential Care?

Residential care is a term that refers to 24/7 support and assistance offered for those that can live independently in some aspects of their life, but require assistance in others. Some daily tasks that residential care residents may need support with include personal care, eating, medication management, and mobility. A residential care home may also be referred to as a ‘group living facility’ or ‘assisted living’, however, this type of care can also be offered in some nursing homes.

When provided in a care home that also offers nursing care, residents also have access to registered nurses and carers that can also assist them with daily tasks and will administer medication. This is also beneficial in offering a continuum of care, meaning should a residential care resident’s needs change, they can continue to receive care in the same home.

Residential care of this type is ideal for those with low-maintenance conditions or disabilities that do not require frequent or complex medical care. When an individual has more complex needs, nursing care is the more appropriate form of care. 

What is Nursing Care?

The general idea of nursing care and its setting is similar to residential care as it includes a variety of in-house facilities in a group environment with 24-hour support. However, nursing care is tailored to those who don’t only require assistance with their personal care, but also frequent medical or wound care due to health conditions. This specific type of care is most suitable for those that are dependent on another individual due to needing consistent 1-1 care, as residents are paired with a nurse who will provide the most appropriate care for their needs.

Whilst an individual receiving nursing care can still live independently and enjoy a life full of choice, they will need to rely on their nurse more frequently. Nurses that care for this type of resident will be fully trained for every type of need and have qualifications for medical and wound care and be competent in administering medicine. Nursing homes or residential care homes that also provide nursing can will be furnished with specialist equipment including en-suite wet rooms, nurse call systems, and specialist beds or hoists so they can correctly and properly cater for all residents and their needs. 

The Difference Between Residential Care and Nursing Care

There are a lot of similarities between both Residential Care and Nursing Care in an all-inclusive home and a nursing or residential home, one of them being around-the-clock care. People living in these homes that receive either type of care will receive care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from whatever home they choose to reside in. Each individual also receives a level of care that is tailored to them, so their needs are catered for appropriately and fully. 

Each care home will also have communal areas for each resident to use when they wish to, encouraging socialising which sometimes may also happen outside of the home on day trips if they wish to partake in them. Despite there being numerous similarities, there are also differences between the two options in residents’ day-to-day life which are important to note when deciding which is the right type of care for you.

• Medication Management

Whilst both types of care will allow medication administration if you are residing within a residential care home, nurses will not be qualified for providing medical or wound care such as intravenous medication like they would in a nursing home. An all-inclusive home may contain nurses that can do both, but it is important to establish which type of care you need so these can be correctly assigned to you.

• Cost

The cost of care is something important to consider because it will need to be planned for in advance. The cost of residential care and nursing care will differ dependent on the needs of each individual, which is to be expected, but it may also depend on the other facilities and services the home can offer. If you would like any specific information about the cost of each type of care, the best option would be to contact the specific care home.

• Levels of care 

The needs of those in residential care and nursing can differ quite vastly and therefore the level of care provided by staff will also be different. Due to the complex needs of those in nursing care, assistance may be more frequent and require attention from a registered nurse. Residential care will be offered most often by care assistants, though both types of care are given at all times of the day and night. 

In addition to these care types, some homes will also be staffed and equipped to offer other care services such as Dementia Care and Respite Care.

• Activities/Physical Exercise

Most care homes will provide residents with full and varied activities programme, where they can choose to take part in whatever they wish. Whilst the activities will be inclusive for everyone, they may be adapted so that those with more complex needs can still take part, whether this is as a 1:1 activity, or from their own rooms. Activities are tailored for them so they can still reap the rewards.

All-Inclusive Care at Hazelwood Care Home

At Hazelwood Care Home, we offer both Residential Care and Nursing care, as well as other options including Dementia Care and Respite Care. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that the needs of all care types are catered for within our care home situated in the beautiful Kent countryside in Longfield, where there is no limit on the views and where you can visit. We provide our residents with exemplary living standards whilst we assist them with making the most of every day. 

As we offer both types of care, both residential care and nursing care residents benefit from having qualified nursing staff on the team so should residential care needs develop or change over time, we can adapt to this quickly and with ease which means both our residents and their loved ones can stay relaxed about the process. With all our care types, whether it be short-term or long-term, dedicated care is provided within our purpose-built home, with encouragement to live a rich and meaningful life through the use of our facilities and services.

Deciding when the correct time is to begin looking at care homes for you or a loved one can be daunting, however, our team are always available to help. At Hazelwood Care Home, we have adopted a person-centred approach to our care, and with this create tailored care plans alongside regular care assessments to ensure each individual's needs are catered for to the highest degree. This is established between our team, the resident and their loved ones to make the transition a comfortable and supported one.

We offer around-the-clock care with all of our care types, meaning we get to know our residents thoroughly and can be there for them, no matter what or when. Our regular care assessments come with numerous benefits, one of them being we get to know what our residents expect from us. This could be in terms of activities or the dining options we provide, as we do whatever we can to provide for each preference and requirement within the home. Our exemplary care is something that is closely shown in the reviews we receive from carehome.co.uk.

Quality Care Designed Especially For You

Choosing a care home for you or a loved one is a difficult decision that can often cause confusion and anxiety. Because of this, our dedicated Home Manager and wonderful team are available to put you at ease and offer any support and advice possible. We understand the differences between each care type and know which type would be best suited to each individual. We are on hand at all times to care for people and aid you during this period with guidance and support.

Should you have any questions regarding different types of care or the care available at Hazelwood Care Home in Dartford, then we welcome you to contact us. If you would like to get in touch and talk to a member of our friendly team, you can reach us on 01474 573 800 or send an email to info@hazelwoodcarehome.com and we will be delighted to assist you.