Overnight care at home
Worried about your loved one’s safety at night? Our compassionate overnight carers are there to provide dedicated support and reassurance, ensuring they can rest soundly in their own home.
Used by 5,000+ families across the UK
More value
On average, services facilitated by Elder are 35% cheaper than traditional alternatives.
More control
Set your care hours from our custom built app. Manage and collaborate care with family.
More choice
View carer profiles, read reviews from other families, and arrange a video/phone call ahead of placement.
More support
From our family support specialist to our in-house clinical team, we’re on hand if you need us.
More value
On average, services facilitated by Elder are 35% cheaper than traditional alternatives.
More control
Whenever and however you need it, you set the scope of your service.
More choice
Pick your favourite self-employed carer from personalised matches.
More support
Use our platform to plan and manage care from anywhere, and chat to 5* rated support teams.
What is overnight care?
Overnight care is a service where a professional carer stays in a person’s home during the night to provide support and assistance. This allows your loved one to remain safe and secure in the familiar comfort of their own home, providing peace of mind for you and your family.
It’s common for older people to experience disrupted sleep patterns, which can lead to anxiety, confusion, or a risk of falls. This can be caused by natural changes to the body’s circadian rhythm or by conditions such as dementia, where “sundowning” can cause increased disorientation in the evening and night.
By providing dedicated support, overnight care helps to manage these challenges and ensure a safe, restful night. The service can be tailored to specific needs, with options including sleeping care, waking care, and a sitting service.
How do I maintain my loved one’s well-being at home?
If you’re worried about your loved one’s sleep or safety at night, the Sleep Foundation offers some recommendations for creating a better nighttime routine. While these tips can help, they also highlight the importance of dedicated support, which is why so many families choose professional overnight care.
- Ensure they’re having enough fresh air and exercise during the day
- Keep a regular sleep schedule – this means going to bed and waking at the same time each day
- Reduce bedroom distractions before bed such as television and bright lights
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and large meals late in the day as these may make it harder to sleep
- Keep a landline phone or personal alarm by the bed so they can call for help if they need to.
Why choose overnight care?
Overnight care provides a safety net that protects your loved one during the night, when they may be at their most vulnerable, while also giving you and your family much-needed peace of mind.
The presence of a professional carer throughout the night ensures there is always someone on hand to:
- Provide immediate assistance: Whether it’s a fall, a sudden medical need, or simple disorientation, a carer is there to respond swiftly and calmly.
- Manage complex needs: For individuals with specific health conditions, such as dementia or Parkinson’s, a carer can provide dedicated, trained support, including administering medication at set times or helping with mobility.
- Reduce nighttime anxiety: The simple reassurance of having a trusted person nearby can alleviate feelings of loneliness and fear, helping to promote a better, more restful night’s sleep.
- Support personal care needs: A carer can assist with discreet personal tasks, such as toileting or moving in bed, ensuring comfort and dignity are maintained at all times.
Ultimately, overnight care protects a loved one’s independence by allowing them to remain in the comfort of their home, knowing that a helping hand is always just moments away.
What types of overnight care at home are available?
Overnight care can be tailored to your loved one’s specific needs, with options including sleeping care, a sitting service and waking care.
Sleeping night care
In this arrangement, a caregiver will sleep at your loved one’s home. The carer is available for at least eight hours and will sleep in their own room but will be available to help if they are needed. A carer working a sleeping night would not expect to have to get up more than twice. If someone needs more frequent attention, the shift would be classed as a waking night.
A sitting service
This service might be needed if you or another family member provides elderly care during the day but needs a break during the night. A carer would visit for a fixed length of time while the primary caregiver has a break.
Waking night care
In this home care option, the carer is on duty for a shift of around 10 hours and will not be sleeping. This could be the best option if your loved one needs help several times during the night. For example, they may require assistance with changing position to prevent pressure sores or need medication administered at set times.
For those needing dementia care, waking care may be necessary to ensure they do not come to any harm during the night, as they may get up and try to leave the house. A professional carer is trained to implement safety measures like securing doors and using discreet monitors to alert them to movement.
How much does overnight care cost?
When looking at overnight home care options, it’s vital to consider the costs involved. The precise rates of care vary significantly according to the specific needs of your loved one and the type of service required.
Understanding overnight care costs
Paying for a carer overnight can cost around £17–30+ per hour. Realistically, you’re often going to be paying a lot more by directly employing carers, as you are liable to cover sick pay, holiday pay, and parental cover.
An overnight-only carer could cost around £1,000 per week, in addition to any daytime visits. With Elder, you can get a complete live-in care package from £1,150 per week – it includes this peace of mind without hidden costs or surcharges.
Help with costs and funding options
There are a range of government funding options and benefits that can assist with overnight care costs.
- Local authority funding: This is dependent on assets and varies across the UK. It is determined by a care needs assessment to establish eligibility.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: If your loved one is found to have a primary health need, they may be eligible for this funding, which covers the full costs of their care.
- Personal Independence Plan (PIP): Not means-tested, this benefit is based on a medical assessment for individuals under 65 with long-term health conditions.
- Attendance Allowance: This is specifically for those over state pension age who need help with everyday tasks and medical care. It is not means-tested and has a day and night component.
- Carer’s Allowance: If you look after someone for 35 hours or more a week, you may be entitled to this benefit.
Navigating care funding can be complex. Speak to a dedicated Care Advisor today to understand the options available to you and your loved one.
How can Elder help with overnight care?
There are three main options for overnight care with Elder:
- The carer sleeps at your loved one’s home and gets up a maximum of two times per night. This is included in Elder’s standard live-in care package.
- Overnight care is the primary function of the live-in carer – they’re not available during the day as a 24-hour carer would be.
- Two carers perform live-in care duties throughout the day and night. This option is ideal if your loved one is awake multiple times overnight due to pain, disorientation, or the need for medication.
How do I get overnight care for my elderly relative?
Getting professional overnight care for a loved one is a straightforward process. At Elder, we’ve simplified the journey into three easy steps to help you quickly find the perfect carer.
1. Share your care request
Tell us your care requirements using our request form, including the type of care you’re looking for, any specialist skills you need, and what daily life looks like.
2. Select your carer
You’ll start receiving profiles of suitable self-employed carers within 24 hours. Chat to them online or arrange a phone or video call, before choosing who you like best.
3. Manage care
Once your agreement with your carer begins, use your MyElder account to chat with them and the Elder team, manage your schedule and care information, and find respite cover if you need it.
FAQs about overnight care
-
How do I know if my loved one needs overnight care?
It's important to monitor your loved one’s sleep habits and nighttime activity. Waking once or twice is normal, but more than that could be a sign professional care is needed. Signs to look for include frequent nighttime wandering, a high risk of falls, or increased confusion and disorientation after dark. Using tools like smartwatches, sleep apps, or motion-sensor cameras (with consent) can help you track these patterns and determine the level of support required.
-
What is the difference between sleeping and waking night care?
Sleeping night care involves a carer who sleeps at your loved one’s home and is available to assist up to twice per night. This is suitable for those who need reassurance but minimal physical help. Waking night care involves a carer who is awake and on duty throughout the night to provide frequent assistance, such as with medication or turning over.
-
Is overnight care suitable for someone with dementia?
Yes, overnight care is often crucial for people with dementia, especially if they experience sundowning or are prone to wandering. A waking night carer can provide constant supervision and reassurance to ensure their safety.
-
How much does Elder overnight care cost?
The cost of overnight care varies based on the level of need. Elder provides overnight care as part of a full live-in care package, which starts from £1,150 per week and can often be more cost-effective than hiring multiple carers directly.
