As experienced care providers, we know that few decisions carry as much emotional weight as choosing the right Home for someone you love. It’s a deeply personal journey – one that can be made more confusing when terms like ‘care home’ and ‘nursing home’ are used interchangeably.
In reality, these settings offer different levels of support, and understanding the difference between a care home vs nursing home can make your decision much clearer. Whether you’re searching for ‘nursing homes near me’ or looking specifically for support in Devon, having the right information will help you feel confident in your choices.
At Southern Healthcare, we’re proud to provide four excellent nursing homes in Devon. Our nursing home in Exeter, The Old Rectory, sits on a peaceful street just outside the city centre. Parkwood House, our nursing home in Plymouth, overlooks the beautiful Devonport Park. We also have two nursing homes in the coastal towns of Seaton and Dawlish – The Seaton and Sefton Hall – each offering a warm, welcoming environment close to the sea.
Below, we’ve created a simple guide outlining the differences between care homes and nursing homes to help you decide what’s right for your loved one.
What is a care home?
A care home – also called a residential home – provides a safe, comfortable environment for older adults who may need support with everyday tasks. This might include washing, dressing or assistance with meals. Social activities, community life, and companionship are central to the care home experience, helping residents feel connected and engaged.
Care teams are available 24/7 to provide reassurance and practical support. However, unlike nursing homes, there aren’t usually registered nurses on-site at all times. For many families, a care home is ideal if their loved one will benefit from day-to-day assistance, but they do not require regular clinical or medical care.
What is a nursing home?
A nursing home offers everything you’ll find in a care home with the addition of round‑the‑clock support from registered nurses. Registered nurses are trained to provide medical interventions such as skin care and monitoring of long-term or complex health conditions. This added clinical expertise is essential for people living with ongoing health conditions, chronic illnesses or more complex medical needs including advanced levels of dementia or complex mental health conditions.
Many nursing homes specialise in particular health needs. At Southern Healthcare, all our homes specialise in advanced dementia care. At our nursing home in Dawlish, Sefton Hall, we provide highly specialised dementia care, including support for residents living with advanced stages of dementia.
Our dedicated care and nursing teams work together closely to provide not only expert clinical support, but also warmth, compassion, and meaningful connections – ensuring each resident feels valued, and truly cared for and of course safe (emotionally and physically).
Care home vs nursing home: How to choose?
Every individual is unique, so when exploring options, please consider the following:
- Complex medical needs: Does your loved one require regular nursing or clinical care?
- Professional advice: What does your GP or healthcare specialist recommend?
- Home Tours: Touring homes in person can give you a real sense of the environment and help you imagine where your loved one will feel most at home, cared about and live a fulfilling life.
At Southern Healthcare, we make our homes feel warm, homely and vibrant – not just places that provide care, but places where residents can live happily. This can make a life-changing difference for someone living with dementia, particularly if they may otherwise be isolated at home or supported by family members finding it difficult to meet increasing or complex care needs 24/7.
How we support our residents
For more than two decades, we’ve been united by a simple belief: outstanding care is about far more than meeting practical needs – it’s about enriching lives, emotional wellbeing and being happy.
As a specialist, trusted Devon-based care provider, we offer kind, compassionate, expert-led care across all four of our nursing homes. Whether you’re looking for a nursing home Exeter, nursing home Plymouth, nursing home Seaton, or nursing home Dawlish, our approach remains consistent: exceptionally person‑centred, warm, and clinically excellent.
Our experienced nursing teams bring a unique blend of professional skill and genuine human kindness. Alongside high-quality medical care, residents enjoy engaging in meaningful activities in comfortable surroundings.
If you’re starting your search for ‘nursing homes near me’ and you would like to find out more about our nursing homes in Devon, contact our team today.