Nursing homes
How do nursing homes differ from residential homes?
Nursing homes are like residential care homes, providing living accommodation, usually in an en suite room, with meals in a dining area and personal care, such as washing, dressing and going to the toilet. However, nursing homes also provide medical care from a qualified nurse who is on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How much does a nursing home cost?
Research by LaingBuisson for its Care of Older People UK market report (December 2019) indicates that the average weekly cost of nursing care in the UK in the financial year 2018–19 was £893; or almost £46,500 per year.
For more detailed information about the cost of care in any local authority in England, use our cost of care and eligibility tool.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can find out more information about the cost of care homes in our article about care home fees.
Nursing homes near me or my family member
You can also use our care services directory to help you to search for nursing homes near you or your family member. You can filter the directory to search for, say, nursing homes that specialise in dementia care.
Activities in a nursing home
A nursing home will inevitably have fewer active residents than in a residential care home, but this doesn’t mean that activities won’t be organised. Many nursing homes will organise events such as small groups playing or singing music, storytellers and visiting dogs.
In addition, there will be visiting professionals, such as:
- local GP
- district nurse
- physiotherapist
- chiropodist
- holistic therapists
- hairdresser
- vicar, priest or other religious leaders.
Choosing a nursing home over a residential care home
The circumstances of your loved one’s health may well mean that this decision is taken out of your hands. With the average age of residents moving into care now being 85 years old, and a greater number of people living in their own homes for longer with assistance, it’s increasingly likely that you’ll be choosing a nursing home rather than a residential care home.
However, if you’re in any doubt, our article when should you consider a care home will help guide you.
Further reading
If your loved one can no longer live alone, a care home move may help. Residential care homes give personal care; ...
Prepare yourself with questions to ask when choosing a care home, find out about fees, and have a good look around.
We explain what should be in a good care home contract, who is involved and what to do if you spot any problems.
