While care homes provide personal support, there comes a time when your medical needs require round-the-clock nursing care but you may wonder how much does a nursing home cost and where can I find nursing homes near me?

This guide explains when a move from a care home to a nursing home may be necessary, how to recognise the signs and understanding the difference between a care home and a nursing home including the cost difference.

At a glance

• A move from a care home to a nursing home is usually needed when medical or clinical needs require 24-hour care from a registered nurse.
• Signs you may need nursing care include increasing health conditions, frequent hospital visits, reduced mobility or advanced dementia.
• Nursing homes provide ongoing medical supervision that standard care homes are not legally able to offer.

What is the difference between a care home and a nursing home?

Before deciding whether to move, it’s important to understand the key difference between a care home and a nursing home.

Have a look at this carehome.co.uk video highlighting the difference between a care home and a nursing home.

Care homes are ideal for people who need help with everyday tasks but do not require medical care.

Care homes provide:

• Personal care such as help showering, dressing, going to the toilet, the meal preparation.
• Support with mobility and daily routines.
• 24-hour care staff (but no registered nurse on site at all times).

Nursing Homes

If medical needs increase, a nursing home may be the safer and more appropriate option.

Nursing homes offer everything a care home does, plus:

• 24-hour care from registered nurses.
• Ongoing medical supervision.
• Complex care such as wound management, injections and clinical monitoring.

Care home or nursing home? Think about future care

If you are looking for a care home it is important to think about individual needs.

If you have a condition that is progressive, it is good to think ahead and choose a home that offers both nursing care and residential care on site.

This ensures you don’t have to undergo the emotional process of relocating to a new home.

How much does a care home and nursing home cost?

How much is a care home in the UK?

According to data from carehome.co.uk:

• the average weekly cost of residential care if you are a self-funder is £1,298.
• the monthly average cost of residential care is £5,192.
• residential care for a whole year (52 weeks) costs on average £67,496.

The average cost of care homes in the UK (including both residential and nursing care) is also higher or lower depending on where you live. In England, for example, care homes in London are more expensive than care homes in the North West.

How much does a nursing home cost?

Nursing care is more expensive than residential care, because of added costs of staffing, equipment and insurance. Therefore, on average, a nursing home does cost more than a care home.

• The average nursing home cost if you are funding your own care is £1,535 per week across the UK. 
• Nursing care in a care home costs on average £6,140 a month.
• Nursing home care costs on average £79,820 a year.

People who are eligible for NHS funded nursing care (FNC) will have the nursing element of their care home or nursing home fees paid for by the NHS. They still have to pay for their accommodation and other forms of care.

Signs it may be time to move to a nursing home

1. Increasing complex medical needs

If a resident develops a long-term or complex medical condition requiring round-the-clock nursing care.

For example, advanced dementia, stroke recovery needs, diabetes requiring insulin or those who need regular medical treatments.

Care homes are not licensed to provide continuous medical treatment.

 2. Frequent hospital admissions

Repeated trips to hospital. This can be a strong indicator that current care is no longer meeting medical needs.

Nursing homes are equipped to manage health conditions proactively, often preventing unnecessary hospital visits.

3. Mobility has significantly declined

If someone:

• Is no longer able to move safely.
• Requires hoisting.
• Is at high risk of falls or pressure sores.

A nursing home can provide specialist equipment and clinical oversight to reduce risks.

4. Advanced dementia or cognitive decline

While many care homes support early dementia, later stages of dementia often involve:

• Complex behavioural symptoms.
• Increased confusion or agitation.
• Medical complications.

Nursing homes have trained nurses who can manage both mental and physical health needs safely.

5. Care home staff recommend a move

If care staff express concerns about meeting medical needs safely, it’s important to listen. This recommendation is usually based on regulatory limits, not lack of care or compassion.

Is moving to a nursing home always the only option?

Not always but it depends on clinical need.

In some cases:

• NHS community nurses or district nurses can provide limited support.
• Short-term rehabilitation may be available.

However, when 24-hour nursing supervision becomes essential, a nursing home is usually the most appropriate solution.

Moving from a care home to a nursing home is not a step backwards. It’s a step towards safer, more appropriate care as needs change.

Recognising the signs early can reduce stress, prevent health emergencies and ensure the best quality of life possible.

Who decides if a move to a nursing home is necessary?

Clinical assessments play a key role.

The decision is often made collaboratively between:

• Care home staff.
• Healthcare professionals.
• The resident and their family.

How can I find the right nursing home near me?

Finding a nursing home at short notice can feel overwhelming. carehome.co.uk makes the process easier by allowing you to:

• Search verified nursing homes near me.
• Compare care home inspection ratings.
• Read genuine reviews from families and residents.
• Filter by location, budget and care needs.

Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to an urgent change in health, carehome.co.uk helps you make informed decisions quickly.

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