Nursing homes provide similar personal care and services to residential homes. They also specialise in providing care that requires the skills of a qualified nurse who will be on duty 24 hours a day.

Moving into a nursing home is a huge decision, and it is important to do as much research as you can. Make sure you ask questions about the services that are important to you. More information about choosing a nursing home, including a checklist you can print out, is available from Age UK.

Please view this short video produced by the UK Care Guide for five key things to consider when choosing a nursing home.

Some care homes are registered as both residential and nursing homes and are known as dual registration homes. You may want to consider a dual-registration home if you have a condition that may deteriorate in the future, reducing the likelihood of having to move again. A dual-registration home also means that a couple with different needs can live together as they are able to support their different care needs.

All care homes are registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC has inspection reports for all registered care homes that you can view online.

If you think you, a relative or someone you care for might need to move to a nursing home we can arrange for a social care needs assessment to identify your needs and the support required. Contact Care Direct on 0345 155 1007 or email csc.caredirect@devon.gov.uk.