Care Homes, Day Services and Supported Living - Are they the same?

Care homes, day services and supported living - are they the same?

In the care sector, you’ll come across a variety of terms about job roles and environments. These terms can help you understand who is being cared for and what types of support they receive. Three of the most common ones are care homes, supporting living services and day services. 

Whilst there is always room for overlap, it’s important to note that all three of these terms refer to three different environments with requirements, functions and duties that vary. We’re going to take a look at each one and what it involves, we’ll also explore why the sector has these services. 

Why the care and support sector has different services

One of the key differences between the services available is the structure of the care provided. It affects the experience for the service user and allows for different levels of care to best suit their needs. 

The care sector has different services because people’s needs aren’t always the same. The care provided within care homes, supporting living and day services allow people to get support with varying levels of independence. 

Service users who need a higher level of care can require support at different times of the day, often with more routines and procedures in place to best suit their physical and emotional wellbeing. Those who are slightly more independent might need support with only a handful of specific tasks while maintaining more autonomy. Those who require a lower level of care might only wish to receive support when they’re outside of the home environment to bolster their wellbeing; this type of support encourages more self-sufficiency. 

Care Homes

Care homes are residential facilities that provide around the clock supervision, care and support for people. Many individuals with similar levels of care needs live together and are supported by a team of care workers who help provide structure, routine and processes that ensure the wellbeing of the service users. Those in care homes often require a higher level of support. 

A care home service includes both care and accommodation. Residents tend to have their own private rooms, but will often share communal areas for socialising and dining. 

The team on site usually includes care assistants, seniors care workers and support workers who are all on hand to assist with daily activities and personal care, among other things. Their responsibilities can include providing assistance with bathing, dressing, medication management and mobility support. Senior carers who work in a residential environment also create personalised care plans, conduct staff training and liaise with friends and family members to create the best possible supportive environment for those who need it most. 

Care homes may also work alongside healthcare professionals, such as GP’s, dentists, counselors or physiotherapists who all help ensure the service users are in the best possible health. 

Day Services

Day services are often provided in a community centre and as the name suggests, care services are provided throughout the day. The care and activities provided under day services don’t happen in the service users home but in one external location within the community, usually between set hours on set days of the week. 

Sometimes, service users get referred to these centres by their GP and sometimes they’re open to drop ins and self referrals - it really depends on the centre. The centres tend to focus on a specific group of people or specific needs, and tailor their daily activities accordingly.

Day service centres can provide practical support as well as an opportunity for service user’s to socialise, share experiences and make friends. The services provided can stem from quizzes, exercise classes, arts and day trips. Centres can also provide other services too, such as hairdressing or assisting bathing. 

Day centres are often ran by a mix of trained staff and volunteers. Some centres have a minibus service, where they provide transport to those travelling to and from the institute. The team that run these centres can include cooks, drivers, care assistants, support workers and managers. Some personal care is provided, as well as medication management, however most activities are social; creativity and engagement are key. 

Supported Living 

Supported living services are for individuals with varying support needs. The service users live in self-contained environments which are sometimes adapted to fit their needs; for example, the floor plan might be altered or ramps and handlebars in place around the home to assist mobility. It is common to have clusters of supported living homes all under the same roof or grouped together. 

Supported living homes can include features such as emergency call buttons and on site security to support autonomy and provide help when needed. As such, the teams who run supported living services often come from different areas of expertise. 

An example of a supported living service might be a house on a residential street providing support to adults with learning disabilities. As a support worker, your day might involve assisting with daily duties including personal care, meal preparation and helping with transport to the local shops or activity centres. 

The variations in services and environments means that care and support work is always diverse, your skills will always play a role and there’s always plenty of potential to build and progress your career. 

The care sector is structured to provide support for people with high, medium and low level requirements. As a support worker or manager, you’ll need to adapt to meet the requirements needed and focus on wellbeing, whilst helping people maintain as much independence as possible. 

Whatever skills you have, there’s a career in care perfect for you. 

Here at The SKA Group Ltd, we’re dedicated to helping you navigate the world of care services; whatever skills you have, there’s a career in care perfect for you. We have several care and support worker roles available, all offering the chance for you to learn, develop and grow. Whether supporting someone in their own home, helping in the community or working in a care home, you’ll be making a positive impact on someone’s life. 

So, if you’re a compassionate, caring individual with a willingness to help others, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch today to see if we can find the perfect care role for you.