What is the Difference Between Nursing Care and Residential Care?

When choosing long-term care for a loved one, understanding the distinction between nursing care and residential care is crucial. Both offer vital care and support for older adults and individuals with additional needs, but they cater to different levels of care requirements. At Rubislaw Park Care Home, we provide high-quality care tailored to individual needs, and this guide will help you understand which type of care might be best suited for you or your loved one.

Understanding Residential Care

Residential care is designed for individuals who need help with everyday living but do not have ongoing medical needs that require specialist support. In a residential care home, trained care assistants support residents with tasks such as:

• Personal hygiene
• Dressing and grooming
• Managing meals and nutrition
• Light mobility support
• Medication reminders (though not necessarily administration)

These residential care settings are ideal for those who can no longer live independently but do not require medical care. The focus is on promoting independence, ensuring safety, and offering a welcoming, social environment where residents engage in activities and form friendships.

Who benefits from Residential Care?

Residential care is best suited for:

• Elderly individuals with mild physical disabilities or frailty
• Those needing help with daily tasks
• Individuals seeking companionship and a vibrant community
• People with early-stage dementia who don't require specialist medical care
• Those experiencing mental health issues who are stable and do not require intensive nursing support

Residents benefit from a home-from-home atmosphere, complete with individual en suite bedrooms, communal facilities, and opportunities for social and physical activity.

What is Nursing Care?

Nursing care is suitable for individuals with complex medical conditions, ongoing ill health, or those needing frequent interventions from qualified nurses. A nursing home is a care facility where registered nurses are available 24 hours a day to provide specialist knowledge, administer medication, and respond quickly to any changes in a residents medical condition.

In addition to help with personal care and daily activities, nursing homes:

• Monitor and manage medical needs
• Administer medication, including intravenous medication
• Support individuals with severe physical disabilities or mental illness
• Care for people recovering from surgery or strokes.
• Provide specialist dementia nursing home services for those with advanced dementia
• Provide coordination with medical professionals, such as district nurses and visiting health professionals

Who Benefits from Nursing Care?

Nursing care is designed for individuals who require more intensive, ongoing medical supervision. This includes:

• People with complex medical or neurological conditions
• Individuals with severe learning disabilities or degenerative diseases
• Those who require frequent medical treatment
• Individuals who are immobile and may need help to reposition or get out of bed safely
• Residents with learning disability combined with other complex health needs

If a person has been assessed as needing nursing care, they will require qualified nurses on site to manage their condition appropriately.

Key Differences Between Residential Care and Nursing Care

The main difference between residential care and nursing care lies in the level of medical support provided. Here's a simple breakdown:

Understanding what the difference between nursing care and residential care is crucial when choosing the right support. If someone needs help mainly with personal care and everyday living, residential care is usually appropriate. If they need regular medical care, a nursing home is a better fit.

Financial Considerations: Nursing Home Costs vs Residential Care

When considering care home options, finances naturally play a significant role. The cost of care varies depending on whether your loved one requires nursing care or residential care.

• Nursing home costs tend to be higher due to the need for qualified nurses on site and additional medical equipment.
• Residential care homes usually have lower fees because the level of medical support is limited.
• If your loved one is eligible, they may receiveNHS funded nursing care to help cover the nursing care component of their stay.
• Your local authority may conduct a needs assessment and financial assessment to determine how much funding you're entitled to.

At Rubislaw Park Care Home, we're happy to guide families through this process, including applying for funding and understanding the criteria for support.

Blended Care Services: Meeting Evolving Needs

In some cases, a residents needs may change over time. It's common for people who start in residential care to later require nursing care as their health conditions progress. That's why many care facilities, including Rubislaw Park, offer both residential care and nursing services.

This flexibility ensures continuity of care without the need for disruptive moves. Whether you're loved one requires minimal support or advanced specialist medical care, we tailor out care services to meet their evolving needs.

Our dedicated nursing team works alongside care assistants to provide seamless support, ensuring comfort, dignity, and medical safety at all times.

Specialist Dementia Care

For individuals with dementia, choosing the right setting is essential. In the early stages, a residential care home with dementia-friendly design and activities may be sufficient. As the condition progresses, a specialist dementia nursing home becomes vital.

These facilities offer:

• Specialist knowledge in managing behavioural symptoms
• A secure, structured environment
• Support in recognising and managing progression of symptoms
• Coordination with medical professionals and visiting health professionals

Our dementia care team is trained to identify symptoms, provide personalised care plans, and ensure residents maintain the highest quality of life possible.

Maintaining Independence and Quality of Life

Whether in residential settings or a nursing home, the goal is to help individuals remain independent while receiving the care and support they need. Both types of care promote wellbeing through:

• Nutritious meals and hydration
• A range of engaging activities and entertainment
• Support with social and physical activity
• Comfortable own space in private rooms
• Access to communal facilities to socialise with other residents

Family involvement is encouraged in both types of care, and family members are welcome to visit and participate in care planning to ensure the best possible experience for their loved ones.

Making the Right Choice

Deciding between a residential home and nursing environment can be challenging. Start with a comprehensive needs assessment, often arranged through your GP or local council. This will help determine the level of support needed, whether that's help with daily tasks or management of complex medical conditions.

Remember, the right care setting should feel comfortable, safe, and supportive - whether that's in a residential home or a facility offering full nursing care.

Why Choose Rubislaw Park Care Home?

At Rubislaw Park Care Home, we pride ourselves on offering both residential care and nursing care under one roof. Our compassionate team includes experienced qualified nurses, dedicated care assistants, and a strong nursing team who are on hand 24 hours a day.

We also offer:

• Specialist dementia care
• Support for residents with mental health issues
• Facilities designed for those with physical disabilities
• Close collaboration with medical professionals and district nurses
• Guidance on funded nursing care and finance support
• Comfortable, en suite accommodation and vibrant communal areas

Our commitment is to deliver personalised, dignified care in a supportive and enriching environment - helping each resident live their best life, regardless of their needs.

If you're exploring care options for yourself or a loved one, contact Rubislaw Park Care Home today to arrange a visit or speak to our friendly care team. We're happy to help you every step of the way.