Residential care is self-explanatory in that it is for people who live full time in an environment where all of their everyday needs are taken care of, including any medical care needs.
For other individuals who need a certain degree of support but are able to maintain their independence while living in their own home, supported living is sometimes considered more suitable.
Here we explain the difference between residential care and supported living in a little more detail.
What is residential care
Residential care is a term used to describe general long-term care and support in a residential care home. It usually involves the provision of accommodation, meals, personal care, and emotional support for people who are unable to manage at home due to physical or cognitive impairment, sensory loss, or frailty.
Further assistance might also be available such as helping residents with their meals, promoting mobility to keep agile and so on.
There are also care homes that are registered and equipped to care for people with more specific needs such as dementia, palliative care or respite care.
Residential care homes are also known as care homes without nursing, rest homes, or convalescent homes. Nursing care is similar to residential care, but also includes care from qualified nurses.
The difference between supported living and residential care
Supported living
The main difference between supported living and residential care is that supported living enables people to live independently in their own home, whereas residential care is for people who are not capable of living independently and need support.
Supported living is considered suitable for people who, while needing a certain level of care, are capable of everyday living in their own homes with some support to help them with daily tasks. However, they are still responsible for their own bills and financial affairs.
Residential care
Residential care is better suited to people who are able to receive care around the clock in an environment where they can also be given medical care.
Other differences between supported living and residential care are that supported living residents will usually have their own apartment or bungalow, whereas in residential care, residents are more likely to have their own bedrooms, with shared facilities such as a communal living area, dining room and kitchen.
What do residential care homes provide?
Residential care homes provide a safe and secure environment for people who are unable to live independently, but who don’t require constant nursing care.
Residential care homes offer personal care, together with help where it is needed with personal care such as washing, dressing, using the toilet, taking medication and helping residents with mobility.
There will normally be a structured daily routine for residents that includes being involved in leisure and creative activities.
There could also be life skill development for residents such as help with daily tasks such as budgeting, shopping and claiming benefits.
If needed, care home residents will also have access to specialised services and therapies that can include emergency, respite, short-term, long-term, and palliative care.
Residential care at Fairmile Grange
At Fairmile Grange, we believe that residential care should be as much like a home from home as possible.
It should be a warm and welcoming environment where they can feel safe, comforted and content, with all their needs taken care of.
Where they can enjoy the comfort and privacy of their own large bedroom with an en-suite wet-room, designed to help them remain as independent as possible, knowing that expert care and help is there for them, 24 hours a day, should they need it.
Each of our residents is a unique individual with their own daily routines and preferences for how they like to do things.
For that reason, it’s important that our residents choose a home where they will feel at home, and be happy and comfortable.
