What’s the difference between a care home and a nursing home?
Finding the right residential care home for an elderly loved one can be an emotional and stressful process; getting it right is crucial. Understanding the options available so you can find the best care is a good start, but it’s important to start by recognising the differences between a care home and a nursing home.
While both provide accommodation, round-the-clock supervision from skilled carers, meals and assistance with personal care such as bathing and shaving, a residential care home, such as Birchwood House, will provide a ‘home from home’, enabling residents to live as fulfilling lives as possible, maintaining their independence, dignity and mobility. As well as providing support with meals, bathing and medication, residents will be encouraged to continue doing the activities they enjoy, making sure their usual routine can continue even after moving in.
Nursing homes are similar to residential care homes, but with trained nurses on duty, providing care for people with more complex needs, such as dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke rehabilitation or who need other, regular nursing interventions.
While Birchwood House is not a nursing home, our highly qualified manager and senior care staff will provide your loved one with 24-hour care and support and should medical intervention be required, we call upon health professionals and experts, local doctors, district nurses and Hospice in the Weald.
Many people consider moving into a care home as a last resort, a loss of independence. Not at Birchwood. We pride ourselves on giving our residents a family-friendly, comfortable home from home where they can meet new friends, explore new interests, enjoy good food, regular excursions and seasonal parties. Our aim is to improve residents’ quality of life whilst maintaining their freedom – our team is there to simply offer a helping hand when they need it.
Other articles you may like
- Gentle exercises for older adults
When we get older, finding ways to move our body can get harder. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Using low-impact, gentle exercise is a great way to stay active without putting too much strain on ourselves. Regular movement is important for a number of reasons, not to mention the physical and mental health benefits. A recent report by Care England even showed that regular physical activity is improving the health, confidence, and wellbeing of residents in care homes, and could even deliver savings of up to £96 million to the NHS. - Mediterranean Roasted Chicken Breasts
This is a dish packed with flavour and spice. The chicken is filled with amino acids to support muscle growth and brain function, whilst the vegetables are rich in fibre and antioxidants. Both warming and filling, we’ve taken inspiration from The Cafe Sucre Farine to make this healthy, easy dinner. - How did our residents celebrate National Baking Week?
Happy National Baking Week! From Monday (October 13th) to Sunday (October 19th), we’re celebrating the joy and benefits of baking. Because, as you may have already seen on our Facebook, baking is a firm favourite at Birchwood House. Whether it’s sweet treats or savoury goods, we make sure baking is a regular activity. There are always recipes to try, techniques to learn, and opportunities to discover something new. - Baked Salmon and Creamy Chive Sauce
This baked salmon is perfect for our residents, filled with omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health and brain function. We were inspired by HelloFresh to pair it with a creamy chive sauce, which went down a treat! - How we use colour in a care home
Colour in a care home affects residents more than we think. It has a direct impact on how we view our environment, which then influences our emotions and wellbeing. And this is especially true for older adults, as colour can help our residents better move around the home, and better distinguish the objects around them. - Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pineapple upside down cake has been around since the 1920s, and its tangy flavour hasContinue reading “Pineapple Upside Down Cake” - Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community
Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community This month, Birchwood House completed the Quality Assurance Questionnaire, a survey forContinue reading “Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community” - Tomato & Basil Tart
Tomato & Basil Tart Appetites tend to decrease in the summer, so it’s important to have meals that canContinue reading “Tomato & Basil Tart” - Sensory Stimulation
Sensory Stimulation What activities do our residents like? Sensory stimulation is essential for older people, with many activities enhancingContinue reading “Sensory Stimulation”
