Residential vs Nursing Dementia Care: Which Does Your Parent Need? (2026)

In short: both residential care homes and nursing homes can care for people with dementia. The difference is nursing: a nursing home always has at least one qualified nurse on duty. If your parent mainly needs help with everyday tasks and supervision, a residential home may be right. If they also have health needs that need a nurse, they are likely to need a nursing home.

The difference

A residential care home provides accommodation and personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, going to the toilet and taking medicines. Residents' health needs are usually met by their GP and visiting community nurses.

A nursing home (also called a care home with nursing) provides the same personal care, but there will always be one or more qualified nurses on duty.

Which does your parent need?

It depends on their needs, not on the dementia diagnosis. Questions that help:

• Do they mainly need help with everyday tasks, reassurance and supervision? A residential home with dementia experience may be enough.
• Do they have other health conditions that need a nurse's care, as well as dementia?
• Has a doctor, nurse or social worker said they need nursing care?

The council's needs assessment looks at what care someone needs, and is free whoever pays. If nursing care may be needed, the NHS assesses that too.

Dementia usually progresses, so needs change. Some homes provide both residential and nursing care, which can mean your parent doesn't have to move again if their needs increase. Ask about this when you visit.

What it means for costs

Nursing care usually costs more. In England, councils' average rates for 2025-26 had a median of about £962 a week for residential care and £1,068 a week for nursing care (government figures, provisional). Homes' own prices for people paying for themselves are often higher.

• NHS-funded nursing care: if someone in a nursing home is assessed as needing care from a nurse, the NHS pays £267.68 a week (2026/27, England) towards it, direct to the home, whoever pays the rest.
• NHS Continuing Healthcare: if someone's needs are complex enough, the NHS pays for all their care. Does the NHS pay for dementia care? explains how.
• The council: the rest of the cost is means-tested. Our calculator shows where you stand.

For the general differences, not just for dementia, see our guide to residential homes and nursing homes.

Related guides

• What Is a Secure Dementia Unit, and When Does Someone Need One?
• Early-Onset Dementia Care: Options for People Under 65
• Dementia Respite Care: Giving Carers a Break
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Explained: 2026 Update

Sources

• Care homes (NHS)
• NHS-funded nursing care rate for 2026 to 2027 (GOV.UK)
• Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund: care provider fees 2025 to 2026 (GOV.UK)