Residential care

Moving into residential or nursing care is a major step and one that is often taken under difficult circumstances. There are two types of residential care; care homes and nursing homes.

Residential care homes

These provide help with personal care (washing and dressing, etc.), give emotional support and help you to live as independently as possible. This level of care cannot be provided in your own home.

There are also specialist residential homes for people needing more support eg those with a dementia type illness or significant levels of confusion. 

Nursing homes

These care for people who are very frail and may need care from a registered nurse.

They cater for people with assessed nursing needs who will also have a psychiatric diagnosis and often need specialist support to assist with managing their behaviour. A psychiatric assessment is needed before considering moving to such a home.

Assessment and cost

An assessment of your needs should take place before any financial assessment is made of your ability to pay for your care. You are entitled to an assessment even if you are likely to be paying the full cost of your care.

You could arrange a period of respite or short-term care so you can find more information about the care offered in a particular home and whether this is suitable for your needs.

You can also contact care providers directly if you are happy to make your own arrangements to pay for residential care.