Deciding that assisted living is what is needed for your loved one is a big decision and often people find it difficult to choose between a Care Home or a Nursing Home. Understanding the difference is therefore essential to making the right decision. Some key differences need to be understood and we hope that this blog will be helpful but if you have any additional questions do please get in touch – we are here to help.

What is a Care Home?

As we get older, completing everyday tasks can become difficult and so having assistance on hand can be helpful and a huge relief of burden. The key objective of a Care Home is to enable residents to continue living as independently as possible by receiving 24-hour care and support. Everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, personal hygiene, going to the toilet and other everyday issues can become a struggle.

Knowing there is someone who can help with some, or all, of these requirements, provides peace of mind for the relatives and residents alike. In a care home environment, the ethos is to engage with residents and encourage them to participate within the community environment. Dining facilities and social activities often provide new friendship groups for residents. Assistance and support 24/7 with qualified experienced care professionals is essential.

In a Care Home communal activities are key to engaging residents in social events. A schedule of activities is provided, for instance, bingo, board games and music events. Whilst not every resident may wish to take advantage of these opportunities staff encourage participation as being essential to the wellbeing of their residents. We have up to 25 residents at one time from all walks of life. Trips to National Parks and Trust Houses around the beautiful Sussex countryside are organised

Residents of Care Homes typically only require basic medical attention. However, our Care Home staff know the signs that illustrate that a resident’s needs may have changed and act accordingly. Our medical staff have extensive knowledge and experience in managing medical conditions and are highly experienced in providing this kind of care.

If your loved one needs assistance in these areas then a Care Home can be a much-needed respite.

What is a Nursing Home?

A nursing home provides all of the features of a Care Home but with an additional higher level of medical support. An onsite trained registered nurse is able 24/7 to monitor health conditions closely and administer medical interventions as appropriate. Many residents suffer from serious conditions such as cancer, dementia/Alzheimers, severe learning or mental difficulties or terminal illnesses in which case a Nursing Home would be a more appropriate choice. A trained registered nurse can monitor health conditions closely and administer any necessary care.

A nursing home simply provides the additional medical assistance required, which is a key feature to consider depending on the condition of your loved one. At Ferndale Nursing home we have dedicated specialists who are specialised to handle cases of dementia/Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. A nursing home also organises regular visits from GPs as well as specialists if required.

At our sister home, Ferndale Nursing home we can accommodate up to 28 live in residents including married couples. Our home is located in the exclusive area of Southgate Crawley, with an abundance of activities and trips available in the local area.

Our Manager Mr Ishwurduth Mannick, RMN has over 40 years of experience and our registered provider is Ferndale Healthcare Limited. We have 18 single and 5 double bedrooms, with TV/telephone fitted in all rooms and en-suite facilities. The home is fitted with a lift which serves all three floors.

This home is ideal if your loved one is suffering from a certain type of ailment that requires frequent medical attention/evaluation.

Which is the right choice?

When your loved one is suffering from specific ailments, such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia we would recommend our own Nursing Home, Ferndale, which is located in the exclusion area of Crawley. If your loved one has a specific mental or physical disability or they are frail, then the assistance available at our Nursing home will be beneficial.

Having an on-site registered nurse can help reassure you that if there were to be an emergency or something such as a fall – then we will be here to help. If your loved one has recently been discharged from a hospital we would also recommend our Nursing Home so our nurse can monitor their recovery closely.

If you feel, however, that you don’t particularly need the assistance of an on-site registered nurse available 24/7 but would benefit from assistance with the daily necessities of life such as cleaning, going to the toilet, showering and preparing food, then our Care home Crossways Care home in West Sussex could be the best choice. It’s a matter of personal choice depending on your current circumstances but with both care home and a nursing home we will be able to accommodate both your current and future needs.

Whichever you choose we look forward to welcoming you to either of our homes.