What Is a Nursing Home?

If you or your loved one can no longer live independently, you may be considering a nursing home. Nursing homes are ideal for anyone needing a higher level of care than a residential home would provide.

At a nursing home, on-site nurses are available round-the-clock to provide help and support with ongoing chronic health related conditions. They can also assist with rehabilitation after short-term illnesses, injury or surgery.

In this guide, we’ll explain what nursing homes are, who they are suitable for and what services they provide. We’ll also discuss moving into a nursing home and how to tell when it’s time.

What Are Nursing Homes?

Nursing homes are residences for individuals requiring 24-hour support with medical needs or disabilities. They are staffed with qualified nurses who can provide physical therapy, wound care and other assistance as needed.

Some nursing homes specialise in providing care for certain medical conditions, such as dementia, mental health or physical impairment. All nursing homes also employ carers to assist with daily living and everyday tasks.

There are over 5,000 nursing homes (also called “nursing care homes” or “care homes with nursing”) in the UK. Most are privately owned, while some are operated by local councils, charities or the NHS.

Who Are Nursing Homes For?

Nursing homes are suitable for individuals who require skilled nursing care but do not need to go into hospital. Around half of all people living in nursing homes are aged 85 or older.

Most nursing home residents require help with three or more activities of daily living (e.g. eating, dressing and bathing). Many also live with conditions such as:

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Neurological related impairment
• Cancer
• Mental health related care needs
• Learning disabilities
• Physical disabilities
• Sensory impairment

Some nursing homes also offer a form of short-term accommodation called respite care. This is helpful for those who need care while recovering from an illness, injury or stroke.

What Services Do Nursing Homes Provide?

Each nursing home may differ in terms of the services it offers. However, most nursing homes provide:

• Accommodation, laundry and housekeeping
• Regular meals, beverages and snacks
• A personalised care plan for each resident
• Organised recreational activities such as exercise classes
• Spaces to relax and socialise with other residents
• Assistance with daily living (e.g. dressing, bathing, eating, taking medication)
• Specialised nursing care (e.g. wound care, orthopaedic care, physical therapy, intravenous therapy)

All nursing homes in England must meet certain standards set out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They are inspected regularly to ensure they are providing safe and effective care. 

What Is the Difference Between “Care Home” and “Nursing Home”?

When looking into residential living, you may wonder whether to choose a nursing home vs. care home. The right choice for you depends on the level of care you require.

Both nursing homes and residential care homes help with all aspects of day-to-day personal care. The amount of assistance provided will vary according to each resident’s individual needs. However, while nursing homes also employ qualified nurses who are on-site 24/7, residential care homes do not.

Therefore, residential homes are generally unsuitable for those with more complex medical needs. This may include conditions requiring significant clinical input or advanced treatments. It is reassuring to know that some residential care homes, such as KYN, are dually registered to provide both nursing and residential care.

When to Move to a Nursing Home

To decide between a nursing home vs. care home, you can request a needs assessment with your council. They will assess your care requirements and recommend the right type of care setting for you.

If you live in a residential home and go on to develop more complex nursing-related needs, the staff will need to inform you when they can no longer meet them. With the help of your family, they can then arrange for you to move into a nursing care home.

If you live in a dual-registered care home, you will not need to move to a nursing home. Dual-registered homes accept residents requiring basic assistance as well as nursing care.

How Much Does a Nursing Home Cost?

Nursing home costs may vary depending on many factors (e.g. size, location and facilities offered). Typically, nursing homes are more expensive than residential homes due to the level of care involved. There are additional costs associated with employing nurses and providing specialist medical equipment, for example.

If you have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse, you may qualify for NHS-funded nursing care. This means the NHS will pay for the nursing component of your care home fees.

How Can I Find Nursing Homes Near Me?

Searching the internet for “nursing care homes near me” should help you find your closest residences. However, a good resource is the CQC. Their website displays which types of care needs a service is registered for and whether it is compliant with regulations.

For example, to find a Cambridge nursing home, choose “care homes” from the menu and input “Cambridge” as the location. After searching, use the menu on the left to filter the results by “nursing homes”. You can then view contact details and CQC ratings for each location.

If a certain residence does not appear in the results, it may have not yet been inspected. You may need to check back later to view its rating.

Discover KYN: Luxury Care Homes with Nursing

If you’re searching for nursing homes in London and the South East, discover KYN today. Our luxury care homes provide an unparalleled standard of residential, nursing, respite and palliative care.

We personally select our nursing teams to provide dedicated support for those who need help with more complex medical needs. We identify and respond to each individual’s specific needs to create fully bespoke, holistic care plans. Residents’ safety, wellbeing and independence are our top priorities.

Contact KYN today to learn more about our exquisite nursing care. Fill in our online form, call us on +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 or email enquiries@kyn.co.uk.