What is residential and nursing home care?

These are services for people who can no longer stay in their own home safely, even with the support of family and social services, e.g. home care, meal on wheels, day care.

What is the difference between residential and nursing home care?

A residential care home will provide accommodation, meals and personal care. This includes help with washing, dressing, toileting and help getting up from bed and chairs. Community nurses, e.g. district nurses, will carry out any nursing tasks.

A nursing home provides the same services but has registered general nurses present at all times to supervise nursing tasks. Residents are usually more dependent than those in residential care.

You will be financially assessed to contribute towards the cost of care in a residential or nursing home. If you are assessed as needing nursing home care you will receive a contribution towards the cost of care from RNCC (Registered Nurse Care Contribution, formerly known as "free nursing care").

There is a third form of care called NHS Continuing Care. This is for people whose health needs are complex and unpredictable and require regular supervision by a member of the NHS mutli-discipliniary team. Accommodation, personal and health care are provided by the Health Service. This type of care is a provided free of charge. Click here for more information on NHS Continuing Care.

Moving into a care home

You can move directly into a residential or nursing home if:

  • you have enough income or capital, i.e. savings and/or property, and
  • you can make the arrangements yourself, with support of family/ friends. Click here to find out more about arranging your own care

If you require help with either making the arrangements or with paying for your care home then you may be eligible for help from Social Services. You or someone acting on your behalf can request a community care service by contacting their local First Response Team, Hospital Social Work Team or older people's mental health team.

The team will carry out an assessment of your needs. This means we will find out what you can do for yourself, what you have difficulty doing and what activities you need help with. Please click here for more information.

Can anyone apply for an assessment or service from Waltham Forest Social Services?

In order to apply for any service you must be a resident of Waltham Forest. Visitors from another area  must contact their local social services. Similarly, if you have moved out of Waltham Forest to live elsewhere you must apply to your new local authority.

If you are a resident of Waltham Forest, but are in hospital elsewhere, you can still apply to Waltham Forest Social Services for an assessment. Click here for more information on assessment of needs.

If we agree that you need to live in a care home what are the options?

We will offer you a placement in a home that meets your assessed needs. You will not be offered a place in a nursing home if an assessment determines you have needs that could be met in a residential care home. Also, the home must be registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection to meet your needs. Click here for more information.

We can meet your assessed needs by offering you:

  • Intermediate care
  • A place in a residential home owned and run by the London Borough of Waltham Forest
  • A place in an independent residential or nursing home as appropriate

In some circumstances we will discuss with you the possibility of transferring to a temporary, transitional placement until a long-term care placement is available.

Useful links

  • Commission for Social Care Inspection - Information on how to find a care home and homes inspection reports
  • Counsel and Care -  Information on care in a home, particulary paying for and choosing care homes
  • Housing Care - This site aims to help older people make decisions about where to live, and any support or care they need. It will help you maintain, adapt or improve your home or consider alternative types of accommodation that might be available e.g. extra care housing
  • Benefits and pensions
  • Age Concern Waltham Forest - Provides information, advice and home-finding services for older people. Call them on 020 8558 0455

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