Care homes
A residential care home is a home in which residents receive full board and personal care. The level of care varies from home to home, but it should be the kind of care that would be given by a competent and caring relative. This would include help with washing, bathing, dressing, toilet needs and eating. It also includes caring when a resident is taken ill: in the same way that a family would provide extra help. It does not provide nursing care. This means that residential homes may not accept people with certain medical conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis.
Care homes with nursing
These Homes provide care for people who need 24 hour nursing care including those who are terminally ill. The person in charge of the home will be a Registered General Nurse. There will always be a Re gistered General Nurse on duty.
Domiciliary Care
Homecare is a service which enables people to live independently in their own home, close to friends and family. The emphasis is on personal choice with a wide variety of services available, from help with getting up and going to bed, to washing, dressing, meals, and taking medication. Other services like shopping, domestic services, help with gardening, household management, companionship and accompanying clients on outings may also be offered – anything that helps people maintain their independence and keep a good Quality of life.
Complex medical needs are not a bar to remaining at home – many homecare and nursing agencies can supply nursing staff to help when medical support is required. Homecare can also be used as a temporary support following an operation or illness, or to provide short-term support to family carers who may need a break or extra help to care for a relative.