What is a residential care home?

A residential care home is a place that provides both accommodation and 24-hour personal care to its residents. People in a residential care home can live there permanently, or visit for occasional short-term respite care

What is residential care?

Residential care supports people so that they are able to continue living independently, within a care home setting. The term describes the general level of assistance provided in a residential care home: things like support with mobility, personal care, medicine, and day-to-day tasks. Residential care also offers more company and a social experience, as well as the opportunity to engage in specialist activities and outings designed to benefit the residents.

Who is a residential care home suitable for?

Residential care is ideal for people who cannot live independently, but do not have additional nursing needs. Elderly residential care is designed to help older people to have as much independence as possible, while attending to their individual needs and providing additional safety. This can be provided in either a long-term or a short-term capacity, or be specialised for those living with dementia.

What is the difference between a residential care home and a nursing home?

Benefits of residential care homes include safety, companionship, help with medication, and peace of mind knowing that your loved one receives care when they need it.

 Meanwhile, nursing care involves a higher level of support for people with complex needs. This could be specialist care if you have a medical condition, a physical disability, or a learning disability that requires extra support. Some care homes offer both residential care and nursing care.

What types of care are provided in a residential care home?

Residential homes, such as B&M Care Homes, provide high quality residential care according to a person’s individual needs, which will be known after conducting a personalised assessment. Care will include, but is not limited to:

• Bathing and washing
• Getting dressed
• Help with mobility and getting around
• Help during mealtimes
• Personal care, such as help going to the toilet
• Taking medication

B&M Care Homes also specialise in dementia care, providing person-centred care for people with dementia which encourages independence, engagement, and mental wellbeing.

Who works in a residential care home?

Residential care homes are run by a range of dedicated professionals, including:

• Care workers
• Senior care workers
• Managers
• Activity coordinators

In addition, there are many specialists who may visit the care home to provide professional services. These include:

• GPs
• Dentists
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Opticians

Together, the staff and visiting professionals at a residential care home provide all the compassionate personal care, catering, entertainment, and medical services that residents need to live a safe, healthy and fulfilled life.

How much does a residential care home cost?

The cost of a residential care home can vary, depending on the area, the facilities available, and the level of care provided. Residential care is cheaper than nursing care, which involves more specialist support.

Paying for residential care can be a worry. If you need help with the cost of care, you may be entitled to support. Or there may be a payment plan that can help you to spread the cost. We have more information on paying for care.

Get in touch with us at B&M Care Homes

Here at B&M Care Homes, we have over 45 years’ experience in providing quality, person-centred residential care, where we focus on creating a high-quality environment that enables individuality. We also offer excellent specialist dementia care. For more information about our residential care homes, or to book a visit, please contact us.