Residential care at Charterhouse: your 'home' from home

Sarah Kritikos, St Monica Trust's Care Home Admissions Manager discusses what residential care is and what living in your ‘home from home’ is like.

What is residential care?

"Residential care at Charterhouse is for older people who need help with daily living tasks, but don't need specialist nursing or dementia care.

"This can include personal care, dressing, eating and also providing physical therapy.

"Residential care is the perfect way to stay independent whilst having the peace of mind that 24hr support from a dedicated team of care professionals gives."

What is the difference between residential care and nursing care?

"Imagine residential care as being more like living in your own home where our care and support staff are there to assist you as you go about your day.

"As the name suggests, nursing care is for older people who require nurses to administer medication and treatments for more complex conditions in addition to being assisted with everyday tasks."

What happens if someone develops nursing needs while receiving residential care?

"In addition to offering residential care, Charterhouse also offers nursing care and dementia care, so there is the opportunity to move within the wider care home should your health circumstances change."

What is a typical day like in a residential care home?

"We always make point of saying that there’s no such things as a typical day in a residential care.

"Providing the right care for yourself or a loved-one starts before admission. The secret is getting know the resident and their family as well as we do our own and everything we learn about you goes into your care plan.

"Our care is person-centred around how each individual resident wants to spend their day.

"Some of us like a lie-in, while others like to be up to watch the sunrise. Some of us may enjoy eating with friends or you might prefer to eat your meals in the comfort of your own room.

"However you wish to spend your day is entirely up to you."

What is included with residential care?

"Residential care at Charterhouse includes support from our trained care workers, all activities in our homes, pastoral care service, physiotherapy, all food and drink, laundry, heating, lighting and phone line rental."

When should someone move into a residential care home?

"There’s no right or wrong answer to this question, as everyone’s circumstances are different.

"It could be that you reach a point where you are finding it increasingly difficult to live at home, even with support from professional carers, family and friends.

"Equally, you could be the daughter, son, friend or partner of an older person and you’re realising that you are no longer able to provide the level of support they need or you are concerned about their well-being.

"Sometimes it could be the result of an unexpected crisis. We also have residents who planned years in advance for when they would like to move into a residential care home and have chosen where they would like to go in advance."

Whatever your circumstances, our friendly and experienced admissions team will answer all your questions to make sure you or your loved one gets the right care.

We are here to make your journey as stress free and easy as possible - helping you every step of the way from your first call to your first night in a St Monica Trust care home.

For more information on residential care at Charterhouse, please call us on 0117 919 4279 or email residentialcare@stmonicatrust.org.uk.