What is Residential Care — and Is It Right for Your Loved One?

Residential care refers to accommodation in a registered care home where trained staff provide personal care, meals, and support with daily living around the clock. Unlike nursing care, a residential care home does not have registered nurses on-site — nursing needs that arise are met by visiting community nurses.

Who is it for?

Residential care is appropriate for people who can no longer safely manage at home due to frailty, mobility difficulties, mild to moderate dementia, or the need for regular personal care assistance. It is not suitable for those with complex medical or nursing needs — for them, nursing care is the more appropriate setting.

What does it include?

A residential care home provides accommodation, all meals and snacks, personal care (washing, dressing, continence support, medication prompting), laundry and housekeeping, and a programme of social activities. Some homes specialise in dementia care within a residential setting. The quality of activity programmes, food, staffing ratios and the general atmosphere varies enormously between providers.

What does it cost?

Residential care costs vary significantly by location. In the Bromley, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Greenwich and Croydon areas, families should expect to budget between £900 and £1,400 per week as a self-funder. Local authority rates are lower than this — typically around £988 per week in Bromley for 2025/26 — which means top-up payments are common when a preferred home charges above the council's rate.

Finding the right residential care home requires more than browsing a directory. We help families across South East London and Kent find providers that genuinely match their loved one's needs. Start your search →