Residential Care Facility vs Nursing Home: What’s The Difference?
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When it comes to choosing where your loved one will live, one of the most common questions people ask is what the difference between an assisted living facility and a nursing home is, and what the differences are between these two types of facilities. Nursing homes are usually run by nurses, whereas care homes are usually run by people who specialize in caring for older adults. Because ‘care home” is a general term for residential care settings, it’s important to know which type of care setting you’re referring to.
There are different types, and they offer different degrees of care. A care home that only provides care for residents, rather than providing both residential care and nursing care, is sometimes referred to as a residential care home but is not always so. Nursing homes are different from residential care homes. Nursing homes always have nurses on-site who provide medical care. We've listed the differences between a residential house and a nursing home here.
Nursing homes and residential care homes both provide care and support 24/7, but the main difference is that nursing homes are able to provide a higher degree of care.
What is a nursing home?
Nursing facilities offer a wide variety of health and personal care service options. They offer medical care more than most other nursing homes. These services typically include care for elderly people, 24-hour supervision, and help with daily activities. Rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy, are also offered.
Some people stay in a nursing home for a few days after being in the hospital for a long time. After they recover, their family goes home. Most nursing home residents live there because they have ongoing physical and/or mental conditions that require constant attention and supervision.
What is residential care?
Residential care is a general term for the type of care and support provided in an elderly care home. It can often be called “personal care” or even “assisted living” and usually involves helping with basic needs such as bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, etc. Our residents usually need to bring their own towels. Often, "residential care homes" are simply called "care homes", but "nursing homes", which are regulated by the Care Quality Commission, are called "care homes with nursing."
A care home is an accommodation for older people where they live, usually in single bedrooms, and have access to 24-hour care services. A home registered will generally provide personal care and assistance such as help with washing and dressing, and administering medications. Assistance can be given such as help eating meals, promoting mobility to stay agile, and so on. Some care homes are designed to provide care for people who have a specific condition, for example, dementia or end-of-life care.
How can residential aged-care facilities help people live better lives?
Moving away from home is often a difficult transition, but with the right caregiver, moving into a residential care facility can be an excellent choice for everyone involved. Here are some of these benefits:
People who need care have better access to healthcare services.
Aged care facilities are specifically designed to provide easy access to comfortable living environments for older people who need assistance with daily activities.
If you're looking to take a break from caring, there are facilities at the center you can use. It also provides families who know that their loved one is under the care of a skilled physician should they need more urgent care.
Some things to consider if you’re looking for residential care:
It can be difficult for caregivers to know if the person they're caring for needs an adjustment to their treatment plan. There are certain signs that indicate that an individual may need to make a change to suit his or her care needs and lifestyle.
If someone gets worse over time, it likely means they need more care.
If the person you're concerned about lives alone or in a remote location and they aren't as mobile as they used to be, they can become lonely and depressed. Long-term use of these drugs may cause serious side effects.
Managing a household can become too overwhelming for some people as time passes by. If your loved one has been neglecting household chores for a long time, it could be because he or she doesn't feel comfortable taking care of his or her home anymore.
Conclusion
Nursing care facilities provide different sets of services compared to residential care.
Nursing homes are typically for the elderly who need round-the-clock supervision, which residential care facilities offer assistance to elderly who need help with daily living, such as bathing, eating, and more.
There are things that should be considered if you’re looking for nursing care or residential care facilities, such as the elderly’s treatment plan and specific needs.
Attend to your residential care facility needs with Elegant Care Villa
On a search for a reliable residential care facility for your elderly loved ones? Elegant Care Villa offers all aspects of non-medical services such as companionship, leisure services, and personalized care. Learn more about our services here.