With so many care settings now available for older people, knowing which one will suit each individual best is challenging. What’s more, moving a loved one into a care home can be emotional and stressful, so knowing exactly what the different types of settings available are can be extremely useful for everyone involved.
What is a nursing home?
One type of care setting is a nursing home, which in short, offers services to people who need additional help or support with personal care, including the likes of washing, dressing, getting in and out of bed, as well as taking medication.
Nursing homes tend to offer the highest level of care outside of a hospital. They provide day-to-day care by registered nurses on duty, on-site 24 hours a day. Other medical professionals, for example, occupational or physical therapists are also often available, which means residents have access to all different types of medical procedures and therapies - something that isn’t necessarily available in other settings.
Nursing home staff are trained to identify symptoms and any changes to residents’ conditions, which means they are in a position to quickly support them if necessary.
Who are nursing homes for?
Ultimately, the primary purpose of a nursing home is to provide care and support for people with complex conditions, those who have a disability or are living with a terminal illness. Often, residents who live in nursing homes struggle significantly with daily life, which means they require additional support.
In fact, disability is the main reason people live in a nursing home, with more than 80 percent of residents generally needing support with daily activities, like dressing or bathing.
As well as physical problems, it’s common for residents to be living with a mental condition, the main one being dementia, which affects on average between 50 to 70 per cent of nursing home residents. In some cases, nursing homes provide specialist care and support specifically for people living with dementia, as they have specially trained staff on site.
How long do people tend to stay in a nursing home?
Length of stay varies depending on the needs of each resident. On average, around a quarter of residents stay for less than three months, having spent time in a nursing home due to rehabilitation or terminal care. Around 50 per cent of residents spend at least one year in a nursing home, with just under a quarter living there for nearly five years.
Whether a person stays in a nursing home short or long-term, their primary purpose is to support people who cannot be cared for sufficiently at home because they need regular medical attention.
Get in touch with Oxford House Nursing Home
Oxford House is a family-run nursing home in Berkshire, supported by more than 50 care staff, including several registered nurses. While our priority is to provide nursing care for our residents, we also strive to enrich residents’ lives by focussing on their wellbeing, thanks to a programme bursting full of activities and events. To find out more, get in touch with our friendly team. We are here to make moving into a nursing home as stress-free as possible.