Care home or nursing home: what is the difference?

People often use “care home” and “nursing home” to mean the same thing. There is an important difference, and it affects both the care someone gets and how it is paid for.

Residential care homes

A residential care home provides accommodation and personal care. Staff help with things like washing, dressing, going to the toilet, eating and taking medicines. Care staff are on duty day and night. Health care is provided by the NHS in the same way as it would be at home, through the GP, district nurses and other NHS services.

Nursing homes

A nursing home, sometimes called a care home with nursing, also provides personal care, but always has a registered nurse on duty. It suits people with health needs that need a nurse, such as complex wound care or some medical equipment.

How to tell which a home is

Look the home up on the Care Quality Commission website. A home that provides nursing care is registered for “nursing care” as well as accommodation for people who need personal care.

What it means for fees

If someone in a nursing home has been assessed as needing nursing care, the NHS pays a contribution towards that part of their care, called NHS-funded nursing care. This does not apply in a residential care home, because nursing is provided by community NHS services instead. Some people with very high health needs qualify for NHS continuing healthcare, which can be provided in either kind of home.

Which is right?

If you are unsure, ask the council for a care needs assessment, or talk to the person’s GP or the hospital team.

Cedar House is a residential care home. It is registered with the CQC for accommodation for people who need personal care, with specialisms in caring for adults over 65 and in dementia. Read more about residential care at Cedar House.