Residential care vs nursing care: what's the difference?
One of the most important decisions when choosing a care home is whether your loved one needs residential or nursing care. Here's a plain-English guide to the difference — and how to know which is right.
Residential care homes
A residential care home provides personal care and support with daily living — things like washing, dressing, eating and taking medications. Staff are trained care workers, not nurses. There is no on-site nursing provision.
Residential care is suitable for people who:
- Need help with personal care but are otherwise in reasonable health
- Are no longer able to manage safely at home
- Have mild to moderate dementia without complex medical needs
- Would benefit from social interaction and structured activities
Nursing homes
A nursing home (also called a care home with nursing) provides all the same personal care as a residential home but also has qualified nurses on-site 24 hours a day. This makes them suitable for people with more complex medical or clinical needs.
Nursing care is suitable for people who:
- Need regular nursing procedures (wound care, catheter management, IV medications)
- Have complex, unstable or degenerative health conditions
- Require regular clinical assessment or monitoring
- Have advanced dementia with complex behaviours
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Residential | Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Personal care (washing, dressing) | ||
| Meals and social activities | ||
| Medication management | ||
| Qualified nurse on-site 24/7 | ||
| Complex wound or catheter care | ||
| NHS-funded nursing care component | ||
| Average weekly fee | £900–£1,100 | £1,000–£1,300 |
The NHS Funded Nursing Care contribution
If your loved one is in a nursing home and does not qualify for full NHS Continuing Healthcare, they may still be entitled to the NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC) contribution. This is a fixed weekly payment — currently £235.88/week (2024/25) — paid directly by the NHS to the nursing home to contribute towards nursing care costs. You don't receive it yourself, but it reduces the overall fee you pay.
Can a residential home become a nursing home?
Yes, but only if it has the appropriate CQC registration. If your loved one's needs increase over time and they move from residential to nursing care, they would normally need to move to a different registered home — unless their current home has a nursing registration. This is worth checking when choosing a home, as moving a resident in declining health can be distressing.
How to decide which is right
The best starting point is a care needs assessment from your local council. A social worker or care manager will assess your loved one's needs and recommend whether residential or nursing care is appropriate. You can also speak to a GP or hospital discharge team if the move to care is following a hospital admission.
Browse by care type
Filter care homes by residential, nursing or dementia care.