In 2002, nursing homes in the United Kingdom were officially designated as care homes with nursing, and residential homes became known as care homes.[1]
In the United Kingdom care homes and care homes with nursing are regulated by separate organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. To enter a care home, a candidate patient needs an assessment of needs and of their financial condition from their local council. The candidate may also have an assessment by a nurse, should the patient require nursing care.
A survey of 2,000 adults and 500 carers in March 2022 found that most respondents said reports of conditions in 2020 and 2021 had deterred them from moving a close relative into a care home. 55% believed elderly people deteriorated more quickly when moved into a home, and 70% thought care home admissions had a bad effect on residents mental health. It was predicted that demand for live-in care will almost double that for care home placements.[2]