What is Nursing Care? Understanding Specialist Care in a Care Home Setting

The Complete Guide to Nursing Care Within a Care Home

Nursing care is a type of specialist support provided to individuals with complex medical needs who require ongoing professional assistance. Unlike basic residential care, nursing care is delivered by qualified nurses and trained care assistants who offer nursing care and support 24 hours a day. Understanding what nursing care involves is essential when considering care options for yourself or a loved one.

This comprehensive guide explores what nursing care is, how it differs from residential care, and what you can expect from a care home that offers nursing to those who need it.

Understanding Nursing Care and Its Importance

What Nursing Care Involves

Nursing care is specialist care delivered by registered nurses and care assistants who are trained to manage complex health care needs. This type of care is typically more complex than standard residential care and includes medical management and personal care tailored to each individual’s specific requirements.

Within a care home, nursing care provides continuous medical support alongside assistance with daily living activities. Registered nurses oversee care plans, administer medications, perform skilled nursing interventions, and coordinate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure residents receive the comprehensive care they need.

Key elements of nursing care include:

• Clinical assessments and monitoring
• Medication management and administration
• Wound care and treatment
• Managing chronic conditions
• Rehabilitation support
• Palliative care and end-of-life support

Every nursing care home operates under strict guidelines established by care inspectorate bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC), ensuring quality care is consistently delivered to all residents.

The Difference Between Residential Care and Nursing Care

Understanding the difference between residential care and nursing care is crucial when making decisions about long-term support options.

Residential care homes provide accommodation, meals, and personal care assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and mobility. However, they do not offer the medical support that nursing homes provide. Care in a residential care home is delivered by care assistants rather than qualified nurses.

In contrast, nursing homes provide all the services of a residential care home plus:

• 24-hour presence of registered nurses
• Management of complex medical conditions
• Ongoing health monitoring and assessment
• Specialised equipment for medical care
• Higher level of care with staff trained in medical procedures

This distinction means that nursing care is for people with more significant health challenges who need around-the-clock care from qualified medical professionals.

Who Can Benefit from Nursing Care?

People who require nursing care typically have complex health care needs that cannot be adequately managed in a residential care setting or at home without professional medical support. Those who may benefit from nursing care include:

• People recovering from major surgery or illness who need rehabilitative care
• Individuals living with advanced dementia or other cognitive conditions
• Those with chronic or progressive conditions requiring ongoing medical management
• People with severe physical disabilities who need specialist handling and care
• Individuals requiring palliative care and end-of-life support
• Those with neurological conditions such as advanced Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis
• People who have been assessed as needing care from a registered nurse

When considering whether nursing care is appropriate, a care needs assessment conducted by healthcare professionals will help determine the type of care required based on medical needs and overall wellbeing.

Different Settings for Receiving Nursing Care

Nursing Care at Home

Nursing care at home can enable someone living in their own home to receive professional support despite having complex medical needs. This option typically involves:

• Visits from community nurses
• Support from care assistants trained in basic medical procedures
• Coordination with GP services and other healthcare providers
• Specialised equipment adapted for home use

For some individuals, home care services may be supplemented with live-in care, where a dedicated carer lives in the home to provide continuous support. While nursing care at home offers the comfort of familiar surroundings, it may not be suitable for those with the most complex medical needs who require constant nursing supervision.

Care in a Care Home with Nursing

A nursing care home provides a dedicated environment where comprehensive care is available around the clock. Care homes and nursing homes differ primarily in the level of medical expertise available, with nursing homes provide specialist medical care alongside residential support.

Within a nursing care home, care is delivered by a team that includes:

• Registered nurses on duty 24 hours a day
• Care assistants working under nursing supervision
• Visiting healthcare professionals
• Dedicated catering and housekeeping staff
• Activity coordinators focused on wellbeing

Many people find that a home that offers nursing care provides peace of mind for both residents and their families, knowing that professional help is immediately available should a medical situation arise.

NHS-Funded Nursing Care: Financial Support

Who is Eligible for NHS-Funded Nursing Care?

Understanding the financial aspects of nursing care is important when planning for long-term support needs. NHS-funded nursing care is a contribution paid by the NHS toward the cost of nursing care for eligible individuals.

You may be eligible for NHS-funded nursing care if:

• You have been assessed as needing care in a nursing home
• Your needs primarily relate to your health
• You do not qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding

The assessment process is typically conducted by healthcare professionals following a detailed evaluation of health and care needs.

What NHS-Funded Nursing Care Covers

When an individual qualifies for this funding, the NHS pays for the nursing care component of nursing home fees. This contribution specifically covers the care provided by registered nurses, including:

• Planning and supervising care
• Direct nursing tasks
• Medical interventions

It’s important to note that this funding only covers the nursing element of care costs. The care component of nursing home fees related to accommodation, personal care, and other services must typically be funded separately, either privately or through local authority support if eligible.

Special Considerations for Specific Needs

Dementia Care in Nursing Settings

Dementia care within a nursing environment combines general healthcare expertise with specialised knowledge of cognitive conditions. Nursing homes that offer dementia care typically provide:

• Staff trained in dementia care approaches
• Secure environments designed to support orientation
• Activities tailored to cognitive abilities
• Management of complex behaviours associated with dementia
• Support for families navigating the progression of the condition

For individuals with advanced dementia who also have physical health challenges, a nursing home with dementia expertise often provides the most comprehensive support.

Rehabilitative and Short-Term Nursing Care

Not all nursing care is permanent care. Rehabilitative support may be provided on a temporary basis to support recovery and restoration of independence. This type of medical care provided by experienced professionals focuses on:

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Building strength and mobility
• Regaining skills for independent living
• Preparation for returning home when possible
• Assessment of long-term care needs

Many nursing homes offer both permanent and short-term placements to accommodate changing needs.

How to Choose the Right Nursing Care Provider

Assessing Your Care Needs

Before selecting a nursing care provider, it’s essential to have a thorough care needs assessment conducted by healthcare professionals. This assessment will:

• Identify specific medical requirements
• Evaluate physical and cognitive abilities
• Determine the level of nursing support needed
• Consider personal preferences and lifestyle factors
• Recommend appropriate care settings

Understanding your precise care needs will help narrow down the options to find a care home that offers nursing care appropriate to your situation.

What to Look for in a Nursing Care Home

When visiting potential nursing homes, consider the following factors:

• CQC ratings and inspection reports
• Nurse-to-resident ratios
• Qualifications and experience of nursing staff
• Available medical equipment and facilities
• Cleanliness and overall environment
• Activities and social opportunities
• Food quality and dietary accommodation
• Visitor policies and family involvement

Take time to speak with both management and care staff during visits. Many people report that the best nursing care homes feel like home from home, combining professional care with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A care home may offer various levels of support, so it’s important to understand more about nursing care provided at each facility you visit.

The Role of Lidder Care in Providing Nursing Support

At Lidder Care, we offer nursing care through our purpose-built facilities designed to provide compassionate care for residents with complex health needs. Our Lowmoor Nursing Home in Nottinghamshire specialises in providing nursing care for residents requiring additional support with complex health conditions.

Our approach to nursing care includes:

• Personalised care plans developed in consultation with residents and families
• A team of experienced registered nurses who provide medical care alongside dedicated care assistants
• Regular health monitoring and proactive medical management
• Dignity and respect in all aspects of personal care
• A vibrant social programme to enhance wellbeing alongside medical care

We understand that choosing a nursing home is a significant decision, which is why we invite prospective residents and their families to visit our facilities, meet our team, and learn more about how we care for residents with complex needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Care

What is the main difference between nursing care and residential care?

The primary difference between residential care and nursing care is the presence of registered nurses. Nursing care includes medical support from qualified nurses who can perform clinical procedures, administer medications, and manage complex health conditions. Residential care focuses primarily on personal care assistance without specialised medical intervention. In practical terms, nursing care is a type of medical care provided by trained professionals, while residential care focuses on daily living support.

How do I know if my loved one needs nursing care?

Signs that someone may require nursing care include:

• Complex medical conditions requiring regular monitoring
• Need for medication administration by qualified professionals
• Frequent healthcare interventions
• Significant mobility issues requiring specialist handling
• Advanced dementia with physical health complications
• Recovery from serious illness or surgery with ongoing medical needs

A formal assessment by healthcare professionals is the best way to determine whether nursing care is necessary.

How is nursing care funded?

Nursing care may be funded through:

• Self-funding from personal finances
• NHS-funded nursing care contribution for those eligible
• NHS Continuing Healthcare for those with primarily health-related needs
• Local authority support (means-tested)
• A combination of the above sources

For those eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, the integrated care board may cover all care costs, including accommodation and personal care.

Can nursing care be provided at home?

Yes, nursing care at home is possible through community nursing services, private nursing agencies, or live-in care arrangements. However, the level of nursing support available at home may be limited compared to a care facility, particularly for those with very complex needs who require 24-hour nursing supervision.

Making Informed Decisions About Nursing Care

Choosing the right type of care is a significant decision that impacts quality of life and wellbeing. Nursing care provides essential medical support for those with complex health needs, delivered by trained professionals in appropriate settings.

Whether considering nursing care at home or within a care home environment, understanding what nursing care involves and how it differs from other types of support is crucial to making informed choices. By assessing individual needs, exploring available options, and consulting with healthcare professionals, you can find the nursing care solution that best meets your requirements.

At Lidder Care, we’re committed to providing exceptional nursing care that combines professional expertise with compassionate support. To learn more about our nursing homes or to arrange a visit, please contact us on 01623 752288.