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What is a care home?

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Finding the right care for a loved one can be a stressful process – especially if this is your first time looking

How do you know if a care home is the right option? 

To help you answer that question, we've created a guide explaining what care homes are and who they are for.  

What is a care home? 

Care homes which are also called residential homes, are places where people live in later life to receive extra support with personal care, such as eating, washing, dressing and taking medication. There are different types of care homes, like nursing homes or care homes with specialist dementia teams. 

Read our guide to the difference between a care home and a nursing home.


What do care homes offer? 

As well as providing a safe environment for older people where round-the-clock care is available, care homes offer meals, activities and outings to ensure residents continue to live life to the full after moving into a home. 


Care to meet your needs 

There are many popular myths about care home life, but you might be surprised what Care UK care homes are really like. Care homes provide discreet personal care and support in safe surroundings for individuals who are struggling to live on their own.  

As well as assisting with washing, dressing and medications, our care teams take care of residents’ cleaning, laundry and meal preparation – although residents who are keen to maintain these daily routines are more than welcome to help out. 

At Care UK, we have more than 150 care homes, and these offer many different types of support, including nursing or dementia care. We also provide short-term respite care so family carers can have a holiday or to take some time out for themselves.  

Discover more about the types of care we offer. 


An active lifestyle 

Care UK care homes provide a person-centred approach to care. Our teams will get to know your loved one, and tailor their care around them. Our homes are filled with special touches to help residents live meaningful lives. Many homes have cafés, hair salons, cinemas and bars, as well as gardens where green-fingered residents can work, or simply relax.  

Our chef-led kitchen teams are highly trained and passionate about providing nutritious and delicious food for residents. 

Home teams aim to help residents live as independently as possible while maintaining their hobbies and interests. Residents can take on roles like leading a dance class or helping out in the kitchen, or they can let the team know about a new hobby they’d like to try or an old pastime they want to relive through our wishing tree initiative. 

Homes also build relationships in their local communities, and colleagues will help support your loved one to stay connected to the community by continuing to attend their place of worship or a local hobby group. 

Meaningful lifestyles at Care UK

A safe and welcoming environment 

As well as professionally cooked meals and a programme of activities to enjoy, Care UK care homes offer a luxurious setting and safe surroundings.  

Our homes are divided into suites for residents with similar needs, each with its own lounge and dining area. We find that this offers a calm and comfortable space where residents can form tight-knit communities. 

We also stay up to date with the latest technologies. Residents’ rooms are kitted out with electronically adjustable beds and a 24-hour call system, and other safety features can be added according to your loved one’s needs. 


Who are care homes for? 

Is a care home right for your loved one? Looking into care is never easy, but if you’ve realised that your loved one needs more help than you can provide, a care home could be the best place to keep them happy and healthy.  

If you’re unsure if now is the right time, look out for signs, like whether your family member or friend is having more falls, if they are losing weight, or if they seem lonely or depressed. Read our full list of signs to watch for here. 

There are several types of care available, so it’s important that you choose what is best for you or your loved one and their unique situation.  

For those with low care needs, it may be worth looking into assisted living. We’ve provided a handy comparison between residential care and assisted living here. A care home can provide a safe environment where help is always on hand, as well as professional catering and companionship. 

If a care home is what your loved one needs, use our find a care home tool to discover your local care homes, or read our guide to choosing a care home. 

Frequently asked questions

A care home is a place that provides a safe and warm environment where older people can live and receive support with personal care. Read more about residential care or discover the difference between a care home and a nursing home.

Making the decision to seek care isn’t easy, but we’ve listed six benefits of living in a care home, especially if your loved one is living with dementia.

A care home is a safe and comfortable place where older people can live and receive support with their personal care. There are many benefits to living in a care home: assistance is always on hand with 24-hour care, lifestyle teams coordinate activities that offer opportunities to socialise and stay active and trained chefs cook nutritious meals catered to their preferences. Read more about the benefits of living in care home.

A residential care home is a safe and welcoming place where older people can live while receiving support with their personal care 24 hours a day. Carers are on hand to help residents with taking medications, dressing and toileting, while tasks like cooking, cleaning and laundry are all taken care of.

As well as providing a comfortable, warm environment, residential care home teams offer homecooked, nutritious meals, fun activities and outings and opportunities to socialise. At Care UK, our colleagues help individuals in residential care homes live fulfilling lives. Find your local care home.