What is The Difference Between Nursing Care and Residential Care?

Many care homes in East Lothian and the surrounding areas offer a range of care services, from low-level needs to more advanced needs. With multiple care options available, most people are left wondering what the difference is between nursing care and residential care. Both types of care provide around the clock support, providing individuals with as little or as much assistance required, from helping one with their personal care and personal hygiene to communication and/or assisting those with reduced mobility. In this blog post, we’re going to go a little further into the main differences between nursing and residential care.

What is Nursing Care?

Nursing care provided in a luxury Nursing Home in Haddington provides 24 hour care and support, from medical care to assisting with ones’ personal living needs, all in a group living setting. This type of care is for those who need frequent medical treatment or intensive rehabilitative care such as following on from a stroke, someone who may require peg feeding, those with any physical disabilities and those with long term health conditions which are all common with old age. 

Nursing care is provided by a team of registered nurses, a qualified nurse and care assistants who all will have experience and qualifications to take on these responsibilities, including a residents care plan, administering medication and working with other medical professionals. 

Those who receive nursing care within a care home can also experience the benefits of group living, due to providing support needed to move around the care home, additionally, accessible activities will also be provided, ensuring a varied daily lifestyle.

What is Residential Care?

Residential care is similar to generalised care and support which is provided in a care home, it’s designed for those who need more low-level care and help with mobility assistance and daily tasks, whilst encouraging independent living within residential care settings.

Residential care is also referred to group living arrangements and/or assisted living. Residential care provides many social opportunities, some Residential Care Homes in East Lothian will also have a selection of onsite facilities which residents can take full advantage from.

Residential Care Homes in Haddington are perfect for those with low-level care needs, where they can treat their environment as their own home, yet without the stressed of daily household management.

What is the Difference Between Nursing and Residential Care?

Both of these care types support residents within a homely, warm and living-in accommodation, where qualified and experienced staff are on hand 24 hours a day.

Nursing care supports residents with additional care from qualified nurses. No matter what care service you’re after, both will ensure you will receive a personalised care plan, yet with nursing care you will be dedicated with a registered nurse who will devise and monitor your medical care plan, providing and administering treatment and care, especially for those with complex medical conditions, illnesses’ and/or physical disabilities. 

For majority of residents within a care home environment, there will be nurse call systems located in every bedroom and throughout the care home, ensuring both nurses and care assistants can be called upon no matter the time of day or night.

Residents either receiving residential care or nursing care will receive help with medication management, just a more complex treatment plan may be required for someone in nursing care.

Overall, due to the needs of older people needing nursing care, the scope of practice undertaken by skilled staff within a care home allows them to provide a range of services, on a 24 hour basis. From medical care, wound care and other personal care for those who are bed bound. Some luxury Care Homes in East Lothian will not only provide residential care and nursing care, but also dementia care and respite care.

Care Home & Nursing Home Costs

All care home and nursing home fees are based on the type of care and level of care in which it delivers. Beyond care services, location, accessibility and amenities are also taking into consideration. Whilst some care homes provide a fixed weekly or monthly rate, other offer a pay-as-you-go model. 

Most people will bear the reasonability for covering their costs (self-funding), although many others could face challenges in affording their feeds. Research shows that the average fee for nursing care ranges from £960 a week where as residential care is £760 a week.

Funding could be available, yet it depends on your circumstances. Local authority funding is offered by the local council to support those who can’t afford their care fees. To be eligible for this type of funding, a financial assessment will be set where your finances are looked at to see if they meet the threshold.

Complex Clinical Care is also a type of funded care offered by the NHS in Scotland, which covers the costs of an individual’s care if they have primary health needs or significant health needs. This could also be those with medical conditions, mental health conditions, physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.

To determine the eligibility for this type of funding a care needs assessment will also need to be conducted, this will examine your needs to assess if they’re complex, intense or unpredictable.

What is The Best Type of Care Home for You?

Although there are many different care homes and luxury Nursing Homes in Haddington and the surrounding areas, not all will provide the same services and facilities. Therefore it’s important to consider all aspects of the lifestyle and care within before making your final decision.

If you’re looking for shared living accommodation where you can receive support as and when you need it, whilst socialising and enjoying on-site activities, then a Residential Care Home in East Lothian would be best suited. Should you or a loved one need higher levels of personal care or medical care, then a nursing home or care home that provides nursing care would be the best option.

We understand that it’s a difficult time when it comes to looking to move into a care home; it’s a big step that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Therefore, upon admission, a personal assessment will be held to establish a care plan which decides what level of care (medical and personal) is best, ensuring all requirements are met. A tour of the home will also be provided, helping you feel comfortable with the home and their surroundings.

Promising a Continuity of Care at Haddington Care Home

Our luxury Nursing Home in Haddington offers bespoke care and exceptional living standards. With room for up to 68 residents, we’re able to provide around the clock residential care, nursing care, dementia care, respite care and palliative care. For Care Homes in East Lothian, Haddington Care Home is located within the Scottish countryside where our first floor overlooks the river Tyne and our beautiful gardens. We have some wonderfully, decorated en-suite bedrooms, elegant dining rooms and a place to unwind within our expanse living areas. All of our staff members have had extensive training, especially within dementia care, meaning all of our staff get a true perspective of how dementia residents live.

All of our residents can also engage and participate in a range of activities, thoughtfully created to the diverse interests of our residents. Our home is founded on the belief that everyone deserves to live a meaningful life and our professional staff take pride in offering a supportive and loving environment with exceptional levels of care.

Those who are in need of nursing care will reside to the second floor of our purpose-built home where residents will receive outstanding levels of care during the day and night. With bedrooms fitted with profiling beds and hoists, you can feel at ease knowing that care requirements and wellbeing is met. Our person-centred care means we look after our residents as a whole.

Here to Support You

It can be confusing to understand the difference between a residential care home and a nursing home, alongside recognising what care if required. However, our compassionate staff are here to offer advice and support whenever you need it, we’re here to guide and support you in determining the best course of action for you.

We welcome you to get in touch with us today for any questions you may have in regards to our care services. Whether that’s long or short-term, we’re here to help you find the best fit for you or your loved ones needs.