What is the difference between private owned and council owned care homes? Most families living in UK has been asking themselves this question frequently and have never got a convincing answer. Here is the absolute truth about these two types of care homes.

Several families in UK prefer council owned care homes to private owned care homes since they are more regulated and hence better run. While this can be true, the UK government has set the rules and regulations that private owned care homes must fulfill in order to operate. This makes them equally as regulated as council owned care homes. In addition, they also get regulation from Care Quality Commission that sets standard similar to those of council owned care homes.

Several citizens in UK also argue that private care homes are better as well as aspirational care option. Since they are mostly business oriented, they ensure that the quality of service beat the council owned one with an aim of attracting more customers. This is also true.

Recently as a UK citizen, I witness the council taking steps in enhancing the monitoring quality in their care homes. This step did attract huge number of people seeking their services. This move also helped in long-term viability of these care homes. We can say that council care homes are more long term oriented as compared to private owned care homes, which depend on market demand and supply. Of course, long-term viability is not an assurance in private sector.

Another important distinction between the two is on cost. Council owned cares homes are much cheap compared to private owned care homes. The price range is a bit smaller, but this can make a significant difference when making a decision. However, cheap is a relative word that depends on an individual and preference.

In UK, private owned care homes offers additional services compared to council owned care homes. Apart from the normal care home services, these care homes offer other additional services such as fun activities, professional health checkups among other services which may not find in the council owned care homes. Many UK residents may see this move as a marketing tool, but the truth remains that customers are the ultimate beneficiaries.

The final difference between these two confusing institutions is based on size. Council owned care homes are distributed across the entire UK offering similar services. This is contrary to the private owned care homes. In UK, the larger the size of the care home, the better the services. This factor has also contributed to migration of customers from one care home to another depending on personal preference. In always the choice of the customer to choose which care home wellington she or he wants to be accommodated depending on his or her preference.

In conclusion, the debate between Council versus private carehomes is one of a kind that is far from ending. Whether we give advice to our fellow UK citizens, the final decision on which care home to choose ultimately lies in your hands.