As people get older, declining physical health and weaker cognition can make it more difficult to continue living independently. While it’s possible to get some help around the house from family members or nursing professionals, at some point, it might be necessary to make the decision to move into a care home. There are a few different types of care homes available, with options varying according to need. This enables you to find the perfect form of assisted living for you or your loved one.
To help you make the right decision, here is a quick guide to the three main types of care homes. It’s also worth bearing in mind that in addition to permanent residency, many facilities offer short-term respite care. This is a temporary arrangement where you or your relative can live in a care home for a few weeks or months while recovering from an illness or operation.
1. Residential Care Homes
A residential care home is a great choice for those who require some support with daily activities but don’t have special medical needs. They tend to provide accommodation in either individual rooms or apartments and have dedicated staff on site at all times to help with tasks such as washing, dressing, and eating. The vast majority also provide a wide range of other facilities for residents to use. As an example, there’s a luxury care home in Wimbledon which has a cinema, hair salon, spa, lounges, restaurants, and a garden to enjoy.
Furthermore, residential care homes usually offer a varied programme of events and activities to ensure that the people living there can have an active social life and engage in fun hobbies. This could include exercise classes specifically designed for older people, arts and crafts workshops, visiting entertainers, and day trips to local places of interest such as the theatre.
2. Nursing Homes
A nursing home is similar to a residential care home but is intended for residents who require more specialist forms of medical care. They are staffed by a qualified nursing care team around the clock, who can cater to the individual needs of each person they look after. This makes nursing homes great choices for those with complex medical conditions, mental or physical disabilities, or other similar issues. As with residential care homes, most nursing homes will also provide a selection of facilities and activities for those who live there. However, the nature of these may vary depending on the health conditions of the residents.
3. Dementia Care Homes
Dementia care homes, as the name indicates, offer specialist care for people who are living with dementia. They are carefully designed to ensure that residents are safe and feel comfortable, and the staff will have been specifically trained to assist dementia patients. These types of care homes usually still include social activities and day trips, but residents will be escorted on these to ensure they are happy and safe throughout. Everything from the decor to music is curated in such a way that people feel relaxed, secure, and at home, in order to maximise both their physical and mental wellbeing.
