Residential and nursing care

Residential care is long-term care given to adults in a residential setting rather than the person's home.

Nursing care is similar, but it also includes care from qualified nurses.

Residential care homes and nursing homes are called care homes.

Older people and/or people with disabilities, mental health issues, or learning disabilities often live at home, with or without support from friends, family or others. However, if help at home is not available or no longer suitable, residential care or nursing care may be more appropriate.

Residential care provides accommodation, meals, leisure activities, personal care and emotional support for those who are unable to manage at home. Nusing care provides all this, and also support with health needs from nurses.

The council and the NHS pay a fixed amount towards nursing care in a nursing home.

More information on nursing care is available in the NHS Funded Nursing Care factsheet from Age UK (PDF).