The rise and rise of residential homes

May 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Residential homes are a valuable link between the elderly and their healthcare requirements. They provide a comfortable place for residents to live, whilst still enabling them to remain independent.

Modern day residential homes are embracing developments in standards of living and taking advantage of the additional education needed to make their staff the best of the best – which ultimately provides a better service to their residents.

The culture of nursing homes first began in 1880, after a movement to provide accommodation and healthcare for people who could not be nursed at home and who were willing to pay for the service. In 1891 there were 9,500 nursing home beds in England and Wales. By 1911 it had risen to 13,000 and doubled to 26,000 by 1921. The demand was there and people were taking advantage of these establishments.

In 1948 the National Assistance Act paved the way for a distinction between nursing homes and residential homes. Local authorities had to provide residential accommodation for people who, by reason of age or infirmity, didn’t have it available to them.

After the Second World War, a shortage of materials meant many residential homes were converted workhouses with around 35 beds per home.

But it wasn’t until the mid 1970s and 1980s that residential homes really witnessed an upturn in popularity. There were 195,000 residential home places in 1975 and with more people studying nursing qualifications the future looked bright.

The Conservative Government under Margaret Thatcher enabled more people to receive benefits to enter private sector residential homes and as a result the number of private places grew by 60 per cent between 1983 and 1985.

In 1990 more than 300,000 residential places were available in England and Wales and now in the 2000s more private sector companies are being formed – by people who have been in the industry throughout the growth period of the late 1900s

Healthcare Homes, which runs a care home and a residential home in Felixstowe, along with others throughout Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, was founded in 2005 by three people with more than 50 years in the professional care industry.

Because the company has 23 nursing and residential homes in a variety of locations they feel there is something there for everyone. Chief Executive Richard Clough said: “Our residential home in Felixstowe is right by the sea which is excellent for our residents to be able to enjoy the views and the sea air. We also have residential and care homes in more rural areas as well as in larger towns throughout East Anglia.

“We’re constantly expanding our services to continue to offer the very best healthcare and care home facilities for our residents.”

Foxgrove residential home in Felixstowe gives residents the chance to be independent as well as getting them involved in activities to keep them active. Mill Lane, another care home in Felixstowe is located away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets to provide a calming environment for patients.

With the developments in the industry, education and technology, it seems residential home culture throughout the country will expand long into the future.


For more information on Residential Homes Felixstowe visit www.healthcarehomes.co.uk/index.php?page=homes-suffolk

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