stage: 4
When a care home isn't enough — the point at which nursing care becomes necessary
A nursing home becomes appropriate when the person's care needs exceed what can be safely provided at home and specifically require qualified nursing input, such as complex wound care, medication management, or management of frequent infections. Signs that nursing home placement may be needed include repeated hospital admissions, significant physical frailty alongside advanced dementia, swallowing difficulties, or behaviour that cannot be safely managed in a standard residential setting. The decision should be made collaboratively involving the person where possible, you, the GP, and social services.