What Types of Care Are Available in a Care Home?

Living in a care home provides older people with the opportunity to continue living a rich and meaningful life, whilst also being provided with the appropriate care and support where required. Making the choice to consider a care home for a loved one can be difficult, however, once the best type of care is found for an individual, it can improve their quality of life. 

Having multiple care types to offer is common with a lot of care homes in the UK, some not always as many as others. Care homes typically can be confused with retirement villages or sheltered housing, however, they are not the same. There are four typical types of care offered to older people which include residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care. Keep reading to find out more about each care type to discover which would be most suited to you or a loved one.

Residential Care

Residential care is a common care type offered within a care home. It is typically long-term care provided to older individuals who find it difficult to do day to day tasks like they once used to, or for those seeking companionship. Care home staff can assist with day-to-day activities including mobility, dressing, washing and other personal care. Whilst in a residential care home, residents can treat it as if it were their own home, using all facilities and services available to them.  

Residential care does not just need to be considered as a last resort, it is designed to provide someone with a better way of life. Resident well-being and health are of the highest concern by care home staff. Residents don’t have to worry about completing daily tasks as all housekeeping is taken care of, instead, they can focus on the things that truly matter to them and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals prepared by the kitchen team.

Nursing Care

Nursing care provides medical and personal care on a 24-hour basis for those with a greater level of needs, due to severe health problems. If somebody has a long-term health condition, learning difficulties, a physical disability, high dependency needs or is in need of palliative care, it is imperative that they receive care from a qualified nurse to support their complex care needs.

The nurses in a nursing home or care home become extended family members, as they provide person-centred care and support to each individual based on their care needs so bonds can be formed. These qualified nurses can also assist with mobility and personal care, medication management, as well as monitor a resident’s condition.

Dementia Care

Dementia care is specifically tailored to older people living with dementia. Dementia is a collection of symptoms that can affect a person’s cognitive functions, specifically their communication, memory and behaviour. Living with dementia can take its toll on the individual and those around them, so finding the right care that enables them to live a rich and meaningful life is crucial for overall well-being.

A majority of care homes adopt a tailored care approach, where each resident is evaluated individually and provided with a care plan for their specific needs that will be carried out by the specialist dementia care team. Alternative therapies and dementia-friendly activities are provided for those living with dementia, so they can get the most out of their environment.

Respite Care

Respite Care is a form of short-term care that can be provided on both an emergency basis or planned basis, for somebody who is living with an illness or operation and cannot live independently without additional support. Residents will be looked after by a team of care professionals who will take care of their health and well-being needs until they feel ready to return to their daily routine.

If a person is caring for a loved one, it is highly encouraged they take a break from their day-to-day responsibilities in order to continue providing quality care, and respite care is the perfect opportunity for this. The temporary stay is typically a few weeks or even a few months in some cases. Another use of respite care can be for prospective residents to trial a care home before deciding whether it’s the right fit for them.

Palliative Care

Palliative care, also referred to as end of life care, is a care service provided to individuals who are in the final stages of their life, to provide pain relief and reduce symptoms of people with a terminal illness or life limiting conditions during their final moments. The complex needs of individuals are cared for by a team of registered nurses and carers who go the extra mile to ensure that individuals receiving palliative care are as comfortable and content as possible and where loved ones are offered emotional and practical support during this difficult time.

The Care Types Offered at Mearns View

At Mearns View Care Home in Newton Mearns, we offer many types of care including Residential Care, Nursing Care, Dementia Care and Respite Care for older people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Situated in the pleasant suburban town of Newton Mearns, our care home has the capacity for 67 residents with varying care needs. Our expert team takes pride in the first-class care they provide and will continue to support residents as their care needs change over time. 

We want our residents to view Mearns View as their home-away-from-home, and we are delighted to provide a range of facilities for them to make use of including expansive gardens, a hair & nail salon, private dining room, a cinema room, communal areas and much more. We are delighted to offer a weekly activities programme which includes social activities and day trips into the local community for an enriched daily life. Our professional team ensure each resident is cared for in the best way possible, and able to pursue their interests on a regular basis while we take care of everything else.

Get in Touch With Us

The team at Mearns View is available to support you with any query you might have regarding our specialist care options and help to make the transition into our care home as stress free as possible. To speak to a member of our team, call 0141 484 7555 or email info@mearnsviewcare.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill out our enquiry form and somebody will be in touch soon.