A care home is generally defined as a residential setting where people are cared for when they may not have the physical or mental ability to do so themselves. This includes:

• Nursing hospices
• Housing with care (sheltered accommodation)
• Residential homes (non-nursing)
• Residential homes with nursing (often called nursing homes)
• Supported living environments for adults with learning disabilities
• Respite care
• Residential schools for children with disabilities
• Children's homes.

The most common residential homes are for older people. Residential homes do not have to have registered nurses on site, while nursing homes must have registered nurses available 24 hours a day. Nursing homes may also provide specialist care for residents with specific illnesses or at the end of life.

Many care homes are part of larger organisations that run several homes. These organisations have national contracts with pharmacies to provide pharmacy services so that standard operating procedures (SOPs) can be consistent across all locations.

Throughout this module, the term 'care homes' refers to both residential and nursing homes for older people, but any specific differences in practice will be made clear.