Provide immediate assistance
Whether it's a fall, a sudden need, or simple disorientation, a carer is there to respond quickly and calmly.
Overnight care at home
Worried about your loved one's safety at night? Carers introduced through Elder provide dedicated support and reassurance, so your loved one can rest soundly in their own home.
Find a carer0333 920 3648
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. It means your loved one can stay safe and secure in the familiar comfort of their own home, giving you and your family peace of mind.
It's common for older people to experience disrupted sleep. This can lead to anxiety, confusion, or a higher risk of falls, whether that's caused by natural changes to the body's circadian rhythm or by a condition such as dementia. In dementia specifically, "sundowning" can bring on more disorientation in the evening and at night.
Overnight care helps manage these challenges and supports a safe, restful night. It can be tailored to your loved one's needs, with three options: sleeping care, waking care, and a sitting service.
How much does overnight care cost?
Overnight care with Elder is arranged through a live-in carer, priced weekly rather than per night. Live-in care starts from £1,150 a week, with the exact price depending on how much support your loved one needs. Overnight care is set up as an ongoing live-in arrangement rather than a one-off night booking, so it suits families who need regular or long-term support overnight.
Costs vary by location and by how much support your loved one needs during the night. You may be able to get help towards the cost through Attendance Allowance, which is tax-free, isn't means-tested, and is worth checking even if you're planning to pay privately.
Why choose overnight care?
Overnight care gives your loved one a safety net at the time they may be most vulnerable, while giving you and your family real peace of mind. Having a carer there throughout the night means there's always someone on hand to:
Manage complex needs
For people living with a condition such as dementia or Parkinson's, a carer can provide dedicated support, including medication reminders or help with mobility.
Reduce night-time anxiety
The simple reassurance of a trusted person nearby can ease loneliness and fear, helping to promote a better night's sleep.
Support personal care needs
A carer can help with discreet personal tasks, such as toileting or moving in bed, maintaining comfort and dignity at all times.
What types of overnight care at home are available?
Overnight care can be tailored to your loved one's needs, with three options: sleeping night care, a sitting service, and waking night care.
Sleeping night care
The carer sleeps at your loved one's home, available for at least eight hours, and will sleep in their own room but be on hand if needed. A carer working a sleeping night wouldn't expect to get up more than twice.
A night-sitting service
This suits families where you or another relative provides elderly care during the day and want reliable overnight cover too. It's set up as part of an ongoing live-in care arrangement rather than a one-off visit, so your loved one gets consistent night-time support instead of relying on ad hoc cover.
Waking night care
A night-time carer is on duty for a shift of around ten hours and stays awake throughout. This can be the best option if your loved one needs help several times a night, such as changing position to prevent pressure sores or needing medication at set times.
Overnight care wherever your loved one lives
At Elder, we introduce carers to families right across the UK, not just in major cities. Whether your loved one lives in London, Manchester or Birmingham, the matching process works the same way: tell us what support they need, and you'll start receiving profiles of suitable carers local to them within 24 hours.
How it works
How do I get overnight care for my elderly relative?
Getting overnight care for your loved one is straightforward. At Elder, we have simplified the journey into three steps to help you find the right carer quickly.
01
Share your care request
Tell us your care requirements using the request form, including the type of care you're looking for, any specialist skills needed, and what daily life looks like.
02
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.
03
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.
Why Elder
Why families choose Elder for overnight care
We're not the only way to arrange care at home - but families tell us Elder is the one they trust. Here's why.
You choose who comes into your home
Browse real carer profiles, read reviews from families like yours, speak to carers before committing, and make the choice yourself. Nobody is ever assigned to you without your agreement.
15,000+ five-star reviews
More than 15,000 reviews for the carers on our platform help you pick the best for your loved one. Read what they say – because their word matters more than ours.
Real peace of mind, wherever you are
Daily updates, notes and photos from your carer through the MyElder app mean you always know what's happening - without having to chase. Especially if you live far away.
The whole family, kept in the loop
Give siblings or other relatives their own access to MyElder - so everyone stays informed, not just the person who set care up. No more relaying updates between family members.
A real person to call, seven days a week
Your dedicated Family Support Specialist is there when things feel uncertain - whether you have a practical question, need reassurance, or something needs sorting quickly.
Rigorous vetting before introduction
Every carer goes through identity checks, Enhanced DBS or PVG checks, right to work verification, and professional references - all completed before introduced to a family.
Ready to arrange care?
Start online in minutes to find your ideal carer.
Need guidance?
One of our Care Advisors is on hand to talk it through.
Real families, real stories
Families like yours
Every arrangement is different. Here are some of the families whose lives have changed since finding care through Elder.
PENNY AND HER MUM
“We all work together to make sure that my mum has the best quality of life that she can”.
ANNE AND HER FRIEND, SHEILA
“Really, I knew my friend would never settle in a care home”.
MR BEARD AND HIS WIFE
“There's no doubt that the fact that she was here, and we were here, made life much better for her”.
More about overnight care
Overnight care with Elder is arranged through a live-in carer, so these guides go into more detail on what that looks like day to day:
Learn more about the care services available through Elder
- A carer lives in the home to provide round-the-clock support
- Suitable for people living with conditions like dementia, reduced mobility, etc.
- For long-term care needs
- A carer moves in for a few days to provide round-the-clock support
- Suitable to cover for a main caregiver or for a temporary increase in care needs
- Minimum duration of 3 days
- Book as many hours as you need for help in the comfort of your home
- Support with everyday tasks like grooming, walks, cooking, etc.
- From as little as 1 hour per week
Live-in care
Long-term 24-hour support
Respite care
Temporary 24-hour support
Visiting care
Flexible home visits
FAQs about overnight care
Still have questions?0333 920 3648