Overnight care
What is overnight care?
Overnight care as the name suggests is care provided by a professional caregiver in your own home during the night. There are several reasons why a person would need overnight care, including help with toileting, support with medication administration and mobilizing in bed so you can be safe and comfortable during twilight hours. For many living with care and support needs, being left alone at night can feel daunting and for family carers they just want to know their loved one can have a peaceful night’s sleep and are safe in their own home.
Many families are able and happy to provide the care and support their loved one needs during the day but find the commitment during the night unmanageable in terms of supporting their own health and wellbeing, so overnight care provided by a trained professional caregiver can be just the answer. They are then refreshed and recharged to meet their loved one’s needs during the day. Depending on a person’s care needs and personal choice, overnight care can be provided in the following ways:
Sleeping night care – this is when a caregiver lives with you in your home and is on hand to support you up to twice during the night, providing you with comfort and reassurance that someone is there should you need them. Sleeping night care then enables the same carer to undertake their role supporting you during the day.
Waking night care – this is when a caregiver provides overnight care but is awake during the night-time hours, so they are alert and on hand to monitor your wellbeing and respond appropriately to any changes in your health, whilst providing all the support you need.
What does nighttime care include
- Placing motion sensor lights in their bedroom, bathroom and hallways
- Making sure their paths, especially the path to the toilet, are clutter-free
- Checking that the house is securely locked
- Putting a drink beside their bed
- Monitoring their caffeine intake in the afternoon and evening, as this will affect their quality of sleep
- Ensuring they’re receiving enough fresh air and exercise through the day
- Making sure they are not taking any disorientating sleeping pills
- Providing adult incontinence underwear and waterproofing their mattress
How does overnight home care differ from live-in care?
Overnight home care is when a caregiver is available throughout the night to support you in times of need. Overnight caregivers usually only visit during the nighttime hours and would not reside in your house on a full-time basis and would live away from the property when not providing care. They provide a support on a rotation with another caregiver. A live-in caregiver does not usually provide waking night support but will provide between 10 and 14 hours of care a day, depending on the care needs.