Residential Care Homes

Men and women are admitted to residential care homes for care such as bathing, meals, washing, etc. However, residential care homes are not usually allowed to admit anybody who needs nursing care. Most of these homes employ care assistants who work under the direction of the matron or manager. Usually a suitable weekly activities programme is arranged and even trips to the shops or various places of interest, for those residents who are interested.

The ratio of staff to residents may be lower than in a nursing home because the residents are usually able to do more for themselves. They are not expected to make their beds, do any housework or cooking but they should be able to carry out most of their own personal care when they are admitted.

The snag is that if any resident becomes ill and needs nursing care they may have to be transferred to a nursing home. Initially such a move often upsets the resident and they will need a lot of comforting and help until they learn the routine and make new friends in their new abode.