Care Homes

Types of care home

There are a wide range of options available when it comes to choosing a residential or nursing care home. Some are privately owned, or run by the local council or charities.

One of the first decisions you have to consider is whether you need residential care or nursing care.

Care homes with nursing offer personal care as well as benefitting from the experience of having a qualified nurse being available at all times.

Some care homes specialise in helping people with dementia (also known as EMI) and often have nurses who have specific training in the areas of dementia and mental health to help give advice and support to individuals.

Care homes with nursing care

If you think you need a nurse to oversee your care, you will need to be assessed for this. Nursing care provides accommodation, meals and assistance with personal care and access to qualified nursing staff on duty 24 hours per day.

Care homes without nursing care (Residential care)

Residential care homes provide support,  accommodation, meals and assistance with personal care whenever the need arises during the day or night.

Residential care homes offer:

• Range in size from very small homes with a few beds to large-scale facilities.
• Help with washing, dressing, at meal times and with using the toilet.
• Offer care and support throughout the day and night.
• Nursing care is delivered by District Nurses.

Care homes providing specialist care - Dementia

Many care homes now cater for people who need specialist care - such as dementia. These homes give people the opportunity to live in a safe environment with trained staff on hand to offer them care and support day and night.

 

 

Choosing a specialist Dementia care home

People experiencing dementia can have difficulty communicating, which in turn can lead to a sense of isolation. Look for a care home that help find ways in which they can re-engage with their families, friends and the community as a whole.

Specialist Dementia care homes give people the chance to live in a home environment with specialist staff on hand to look after them day and night. These offer similar kinds of care to what family members can provide at home, such as help with washing, dressing, going to the toilet, medication, bathing and providing meals.

Registered nurses fully support care staff and regularly review new research to ensure the most innovative way to provide treatment which is of benefit to residents and their families.

The nurses focus on what residents can do rather than what they can’t and ensure that fun activities, treatments, and therapies are always available.

Care homes for older people are divided into those that offer “personal care” and those that offer “nursing care”. In some homes, more able residents have greater independence and take care of many of their own needs.

How to choose a Dementia care home

In most cases, the first step in choosing a care home for someone with dementia will be to get an assessment from Bradford Council Social Services. This will make clear whether or not they need a place in residential care or what other options might be available.

Social Services will be able to provide information about residential care homes and may be able to assist with finding a suitable home.

Points to consider:

• Location – would the person you’re looking after prefer to be near family and friends?
• Are there shops, leisure or educational facilities in the area?
• What arrangements are there for visitors?
• Can residents come and go as they please?
•  Are staff able to help residents go out?