What is residential care?

Residential care is provided for people who are able to retain a certain level of independence in their day-to-day life. Residential care may include things like assistance with eating, washing, dressing and general mobility, but residents are also encouraged to do things independently where they can. Nursing care, by comparison, caters for people who need specialist care for medical issues.

What can I expect from a residential care home?

At Moss Cottage, we pride ourselves on providing the highest standards of residential care across all our qualifying homes. Our residential care homes are staffed by qualified care assistants who hold NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) and RQF (Regulated Quality Framework) to levels 2 or 3, so you can have complete faith in the quality of the care we provide. 

Our carers will assist residents with everyday tasks such as eating, dressing, washing and getting around, but residents are also encouraged to enjoy independence where possible. We keep individual care plans for each of our residents so that we can keep track of their needs on a day-to-day basis. Our activities coordinators organise a wide range of social activities to help keep the residents stimulated and active where possible, including trips to local shops and amenities, knitting and games.

To maintain the welcoming atmosphere of a home, we allow residents to add their own personal touches to their rooms, and furniture can be brought in subject to prior agreement. Everything is geared towards creating a welcoming, warm and supportive environment that ensures residents have access to everything they need.

What’s the difference between a residential care home and a nursing home?

Residential care homes and nursing homes share some similarities; they both offer 24-hour care, and residents are provided with all types of personal care and support. In terms of the environment, both types of home are designed to be as comfortable as possible, both literally and in terms of creating a welcoming, comforting experience for residents. 

Nursing homes are staffed by registered nurses, whereas residential care homes are staffed by qualified carers who hold NVQ or RQF certification to level 2 or 3. When specialist nursing is required in a residential care home, a nurse is brought in. The nurses in a nursing home can provide 24-hour care and assistance, using specialist beds to move residents around where necessary. Staff in a residential care home are always on hand to assist residents with anything during the day, but independence is encouraged where possible.

How can I get NHS-funded residential care?

If they meet certain requirements, people might be eligible for financial support when it comes to paying for residential care. Depending on the circumstances, your care could be funded by your local council or the NHS. Click here to read more about NHS-funded residential care.