A Career In Care

A residential care home is a setting where several individuals live, usually in single rooms, and have access to on-site care services.

A residential care home provides personal care and assistance with daily tasks for the residents with the aim to ensure the care home is a simulation of their own homes and the individuals are comfortable where they are living. There are some homes which are registered to meet specific needs such as: dementia, terminal illnesses or learning disabilities.

These homes can house several service users dependent on their specific needs, the size of the home and the delivery of care. Care homes run differently dependent on this – for example a day in a Learning Disability home for young adults will carry out different daily tasks compared to a residential home for older adults with dementia.

A nursing home is a place for people who don't need to be in a hospital but can't be cared for at home. Most nursing homes have nursing aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day

Some nursing homes are set up like a hospital. The staff provides medical care, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapy. There might be a nurses' station on each floor. Other nursing homes try to be more like home. They try to have a neighbourhood feel. Often, they don't have a fixed day-to-day schedule, and kitchens might be open to residents. Staff members are encouraged to develop relationships with residents.

Some nursing homes have special care units for people with serious memory problems such as Alzheimer's disease. Some will let couples live together. Nursing homes are not only for older adults, but for anyone who requires 24-hour care.

A day centre can be managed privately, by the council or by the NHS.

Day centres aims are to ensure that social isolation does not occur for individuals. Day centres can offer a variety of services for the individuals attending- such as meals, activities and gives them an opportunity to meet new people and continue to socialise. Day centre staff can sometimes be required to deliver personal care for individuals attending.

Day centres can offer a respite service for individuals who need full time care which is being delivered by family members. The respite can offer a change of scenery for the service users and gives the full-time carer time off for themselves- an important situation for all involved.

Rehabilitation is available to support a variety of needs for individuals who need support to go back into independent living in the community.

This could be for individuals who are recovering from illness; such as a stroke or needing support to live a life which is drug and/or alcohol free.

These programmes are usually offered in a residential setting with the aim to get the individual back into the community.

Shared lives schemes support adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems or other needs that make it harder for them to live on their own.

The schemes match someone who needs care with an approved carer. The carer shares their family and community life, and gives care and support to the individual.Some people move in with their shared lives carer, while others are regular daytime visitors.

Some combine daytime and overnight visits- dependent on the individuals needs and preferences.