Care setting definitions

Extra Care Housing

1. Primarily targeted at frail older people who demonstrate mental capacity but require care to remain living in the community. Younger people with long term care needs may be appropriate for this setting but generally must be over 55 years.
2. 24-hour staffing is available on site
3. Individuals have their own front door and own facilities, with some shared communal facilities such as a lounge, assisted bathrooms, laundry.
4. The care provided is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
5. This setting facilitates individuals who require lower levels of support than Nursing/Residential and offers a practical alternative.
6. Individuals can either own or rent the accommodation.

Supported Housing

1. Accommodation is linked to support, supervision, or care to help people live as independently as possible in the community.
2. 1 – 1 hours can be accessed for individualised support with a provider of choice
3. Single building or cluster of buildings
4. Support can vary widely from 24-hour intensive support to a minimal level per week.
5. Encourages enablement, reablement, progression and independence.
6. Focus on an ordinary life primarily focusing on social care needs.
7. The care provided is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Sheltered Housing

1. A lower level of care needs than Extra Care Housing
2. Can also be known as retirement housing
3. Primarily for older people over the age of 55 years
4. Own front door within a block or close-proximity homes
5. Sometimes there is a Warden/Manager attached to the scheme during the day but otherwise limited onsite staffing and none overnight.
6. Individuals can access bespoke care packages.
7. Individuals can be leaseholders or tenants; accommodation is a separate charge to care.
8. The scheme does not provide meals, personal care, and domestic support and the scheme is not registered by CQC
9. This setting facilitates individuals who primarily require accessible properties; emergency call bell use; opportunities to socialise with others, and domiciliary care services for bespoke care.

Additional

• The above are guidelines and exceptions will always exist as all services are designed and delivered slightly differently.
• ‘Housing with support’; where individuals receive support services such as call bells, but staff do not provide care.
• ‘Housing with care’; where individuals receive personal care services from staff such as washing and dressing.

The services below aren't classified as housing with care.

Nursing Care Home

1. 24-hour care and support.
2. The costs of food and accommodation are included as part of the care costs and the individual does not hold a tenancy but is a resident of the service.
3. Staff offer full support, washing, dressing, toileting, and support at mealtimes.
4. 24-hour medical care from qualified nurses available
5. CQC regulated service
6. This setting facilitates individuals who have significant or complex health conditions which require routine nursing care
7. Costs are higher than Residential Care Homes; these can be funded by NHS continuing health care.
8. Primarily targeted at people above 60, although there are exceptions.
9. Account for 40% of Care Homes

Residential Care Home

1. 24-hour care and support
2. The costs of food and accommodation are included as part of the care costs and the individual does not hold a tenancy but is a resident of the service.
3. Staff offer full support, washing, dressing, toileting, and support at mealtimes.
4. CQC regulated service
5. This setting facilitates individuals who primarily require support to remain safe and attend to their personal care needs and are unable to achieve this within their own homes
6. Medical care is accessed within the wider community, such as the local GP surgery
7. Primarily targeted at people above 60, although there are exceptions.
8. Account for 60% of Care Homes

A commonly asked question is the difference between care homes and nursing homes. Find information about the differences and some facts and statistics from carehome.co.uk and Methodist Homes (MHA):