Caring for an elderly loved one can be demanding, regardless of their health status or circumstances. Care can become even more challenging when nighttime support becomes necessary.
We know through years of working with families across the UK that overnight care can be critical to the physical and mental well-being of not just the individual involved but their loved ones as well.
We are regularly asked about the cost of overnight care and how it works. This guide explains everything you need to know about overnight care, the average cost of overnight care and how you arrange care easily with Country Cousins.
What is overnight care?
Overnight care is designed for those who have nighttime care needs, such as nighttime agitation, toilet needs or support with a health condition. With overnight care, a dedicated carer will be in the home with your loved one, ready and alert to assist them with any needs they may have throughout the night.
This provides the ultimate peace of mind for both the client and their family, safe in the knowledge that they are not alone and have compassionate, professional support as and when they need it.
Types of overnight care
There are two types of overnight care, depending on your needs:
Waking Night Care
Our waking night care means that a carer will remain awake throughout the night to provide care and support whenever needed. This offers a level of safety, comfort, and support to those who are unsettled during the night or who have complex health needs requiring nighttime support. This is often paired with daytime live-in care and allows the daytime carer to rest at night while the nighttime care is covered by another dedicated carer.
This service is suitable for those who have regular and significant nighttime care needs and can be employed as a stand alone service without the need for daytime care also.
Sleeping Night Care
This type of care is for those who have unforeseen and infrequent nighttime care needs. The daytime live-in carer who provides care during the daytime can be on hand during the night to provide help if necessary. This is usually only for those who occasionally need care during the night, such as help getting to the toilet.
This service is best suited to those who have infrequent nighttime needs but benefit from the knowledge that a carer is on hand should they need it.
To understand more about the differences between sleeping night care and waking night care, read our guide here.
What does an overnight carer do?
No matter whether you employ waking night care or sleeping night care, the professional carer by your loved one’s side can assist with a range of nighttime support, such as:
- Getting ready for bed, getting dressed/undressed and the usual evening routine
- Washing in the evening or morning
- Repositioning in bed
- Toileting and continence care
- Provide reassurance and support
- Help with nighttime agitation and wandering
- Administering medications
- Being on hand for any unforeseen, urgent or emergency situations
With waking night care, the carer is on shift, awake and alert, not only for any needs your loved one has throughout the night but also to assist with other tasks in the home. During quieter times of the night, they can take care of domestic duties, such as:
- Cleaning and tidying the home
- Laundry
- Meal preparation
- Any other reasonable tasks in the home
What is the cost of overnight care?
The cost of overnight care is dependent on the care needs of the recipient. Waking night care will cost more than sleeping night care as sleeping night care can be carried out by the existing live-in carer in the home.
With the average comparable care home care costing around £880 a week, or £3,500 a month, live-in care is generally considered to be a cheaper alternative to living in a care home whilst still providing a level of independence and the comfort of remaining in a much-loved home.
To get a truly accurate cost of overnight care, contact our friendly team, who can give you a personalised, no-obligation quote. Call us on 01293 224 706
To find out more about the cost of financing home care, read our Financing and Funding Home Care Booklet.
Who is overnight care for?
Being able to get a restful night’s sleep is critical for health at any age. Therefore, overnight care is for anyone with nighttime care and support needs.
It may be that your loved one is anxious during the night and would benefit from the peace of mind of having someone in the home with them, ready to help whenever needed. Or your loved one may have toileting needs or a health condition that requires support during the night.
Overnight care is particularly helpful for those with mid or late-stage dementia, as the condition at this stage usually presents nighttime agitation and wandering. This can be worrying for loved ones as the individual’s safety and comfort can be impacted. At Country Cousins, we have been supporting people with dementia to live well at home, round the clock, for over 60 years. Our carers are experienced in dementia care and can provide the right level of support, no matter what the care needs.
The benefits of overnight care
Overnight care provides many benefits, not just for the client but also for their family.
Benefits include:
- Total peace of mind – for all the family, knowing your loved one is in safe hands during the night.
- Remain in a much-loved home and community – surrounded by happy memories and home comforts.
- Condition-led care – enables even those with multiple complex health conditions to remain living in the comfort of home.
- Promotes restful, restorative sleep – which aids overall health and happiness.
- Value for money – the cost of overnight care is often similar to residential care costs but with the added benefit of personalised one-to-one support.
- Around the clock support – delivered by trained and experienced carers in a safe, respectful manner.
- Personalised care – tailored exactly to the needs and wishes of your loved one.
- Flexibility and continuity of care – as needs change, so does the care you receive.
Arrange overnight care with Country Cousins
At Country Cousins, we have been providing safe and trustworthy overnight care for over 60 years. Our experienced and vigilant carers are matched to clients based on their experience, training, and personality, so you can rest assured that you are getting a carer hand-picked for you.
Arranging overnight care is easy with Country Cousins. Simply give our friendly care team a call to find out how we can help. We offer a free enquiry service with no obligations, so do not hesitate to get in touch.
Call us on 01293 224 706. Alternatively, complete our online enquiry form
