Overnight care means a carer stays in your parent’s home through the night. It can bring real peace of mind if nights have become worrying. We can match you with a CQC-registered agency near you.
Find overnight care near you
Overnight care
There are two main types of overnight care. With a waking night, the carer stays awake all night and is ready to help whenever needed. With a sleeping night, the carer sleeps in a spare room and gets up if your parent needs them now and then.
Which one is right depends on how often your parent needs help at night. If they wake often, wander or need turning, a waking night is usually the safer choice. If they mostly sleep through but you want someone there just in case, a sleeping night may be enough.
Overnight care can be arranged on its own, or added to daytime visits or a family carer’s support to give everyone a proper rest.
“Care through the night, with a carer who is either awake or sleeps nearby.”
Hattie’s short versionEvery care plan is different. These are the things carers most often help with.
Is it right for you?
What usually happens once an agency gets in touch.
The agency will assess what happens at night now, how often your parent wakes and what help they need. This helps them advise whether a waking or sleeping night is the safer fit.
They will agree a care plan setting out bedtime and morning routines and what the carer should do if your parent wakes. For a sleeping night, the carer will need a bed in a separate room.
Once nights begin, the carer keeps notes so you can see how each night went. The agency will review the plan, and can change from sleeping to waking nights if needs change.
Costs and funding
The cost of overnight care depends mainly on whether it is a waking or sleeping night, and on where you live. Our cost guide explains what affects the price, and the calculator helps you estimate it. Care may be paid for from savings, by the council after a needs and financial assessment, or by the NHS in some cases.
In a waking night the carer stays awake the whole time. In a sleeping night the carer sleeps in a separate room and gets up only if needed now and then.
It depends on how often they need help. The agency will assess this and advise, and it can be changed later.
For a sleeping night, yes, the carer needs a bed in a separate room. For a waking night, the agency will usually ask for a comfortable chair and somewhere to make a drink.
Often, yes. Some families use it on certain nights so a family carer can sleep properly. Ask agencies what they can offer.
Round-the-clock care at home, from a team on shifts or live-in carers.
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A carer lives in the home, giving support through the day and company at night.
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Support for someone living with dementia to stay safe and settled at home.
Find out more →Answer a few simple questions and we’ll match you with a CQC-registered agency that covers your area.
Accreditations and compliance
ICO registration ZC221613
