Types of residential care
Residential care homes
Residential care homes provide accommodation, meals, laundry and personal care such as assistance with washing, dressing, eating and mobility for residents. They do not generally provide nursing care for any medical condition. Many residential homes also provide care for those with dementia.
To view homes offering residential care in your local area, please use our Care Finder.
Nursing homes
Nursing homes provide accommodation, meals, laundry and personal care and also have qualified nurses. They form part of the care team providing nursing care for those with medical conditions or more complex care needs. Many nursing homes also provide care for those with dementia.
To view nursing homes offering nursing care in your local area, please use our Care Finder.
Dual registered homes
Dual registered homes offer both residential and nursing care, so they offer accommodation, meals, laundry, personal and nursing care services. These types of homes usually have a specific number of residential beds and nursing beds available.
To view residential and residential care homes offering residential and nursing care in your local area, please use our Care Finder.
Dementia care
Dementia and related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are the most common health conditions among older people. Dementia care can be provided in both residential homes and nursing homes, depending on the level of care required. Many homes will have specialist dementia care units with qualified and experienced staff, as well as appropriate facilities.
To view homes offering dementia care in your local area, please use our Care Finder.
Respite care
Respite care is short term care over periods when usual carers are temporarily unavailable or having a break. Residential and nursing care can be provided depending on the home’s registration, so you will need to discuss this with the home manager.
To view homes offering respite care in your local area, please use our Care Finder.
Convalescent or post-operative care
This is short term care for those recovering from an illness or an operation. Most nursing homes will offer both convalescent and post-operative care whilst residential homes will generally only offer convalescent care.
To view homes offering convalescent and / or post-operative care, please use our Care Finder.
Palliative and terminal care
This is care of those with a chronic or terminal illness. Palliative care focuses on the control of pain and symptoms to improve quality of life. This type of care is generally provided in nursing homes.
To view homes offering palliative or terminal care, please use our Care Finder.
Young physically disabled (YPD) care
This is care for those unable to live in their own homes. Both residential and nursing homes can offer this type of care and will have a specialist unit. Homes will be registered for different age groups, so you will need to discuss this with the home manager.
To view homes with a specialist YPD care service, please use our Care Finder.
Day care (for non-residents)
This is care for those who require care and assistance during the day. Some day care centres are also able to provide 24 hour care services.
To view homes offering day care, please use our Care Finder.
More information
If you have any questions about the different types of care available, please contact us.
For help with choosing a care home, click here.
For information about paying for care, click here.
To find your local Care UK care home or homecare service click here.
