Cost of overnight care for the elderly at home
Dedicated, affordable overnight care at home from experienced, trusted Care Professionals who can offer peace of mind to families with older loved ones living alone.
What is overnight care?
Older adults may feel more vulnerable or lonely at night, so overnight care is designed to ensure they have everything they need to feel safe and comfortable if they live alone, including:
- Necessary medical care
- Assistance with bedtime routines (i.e. brushing teeth or transferring into bed)
- Personal care (i.e. using the bathroom or managing nighttime incontinence)
- Administering medications during the night
- Repositioning to prevent bedsores
- Dementia monitoring to ensure safety (i.e. if wandering or sundowning occur)
- Companionship to avoid lonelinessor fear at night
- Rapid response to emergencies
Overnight care can take place within the person’s home, and can be a live-in care arrangement or visiting night care to take over from a daytime carer.
Why is overnight care important for older adults?
Overnight care can help older people and their families to feel safe, promote more restful sleep, improve their quality of life, and can put their minds at ease knowing there is someone around to help in an emergency – one 2023 study suggests overnight care could help prevent visits to A&E.
Overnight care can be crucial for those with dementia who are more frequently admitted to hospital than others, those with mobility issues who struggle to reach the bathroom or fetch a glass of water when thirsty, or those with complex conditions who need constant vital signs monitoring or are on a strict medication schedule. It is recommended that older people remain in their own home for as long as possible, and overnight care can facilitate this.
How much does overnight care cost?
Like all home care, overnight care costs vary depending on location, level of support, and whether your loved one needs waking night care(carer stays awake all night to respond to needs) or sleeping night care (carer sleeps or rests within the home so they are nearby if anything is needed) – waking night care usually costs more due to the additional demand on carers.
As an estimate, the cost of general home care according to the NHS is around £20ph, while Homecare.co.uk estimates £26-£38ph. However, as overnight caregivers will be receiving a higher rate, this could influence the overall cost of care. Some people will benefit more from a live-in care package that takes care of all needs, and this could range from £1,350 to £2,000 per week.
How can we help?
We've helped thousands of families to stay safe, comfortable and happy at home. Whatever situation you're facing, or whatever the question is, Home Instead is here to help.
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This is a company whose staff really do care on a personal level and who are client orientated, providing stimulative activities, conversation and going the extra mile to help client and family.Eileen, Client
My mum receives excellent care from Home Instead. They are all very caring, friendly, organised and help my mum to feel happy, safe and well cared for in her own home. The carers are very good at communicating with the office and in turn the office are great at communicating any concerns to me as situations arise.Jane, Client's Family
I am very happy with the support, care and kindness I receive from all the staff of Home Instead.B.M, Client
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How to arrange and fund overnight care
To arrange overnight care, the best place to start is to organise a Care Needs Assessment through your local council or GP, or reach out to our helpful team to discuss your options. We take the time to understand your loved one’s unique requirements and pair them with a compassionate, experienced Care Professional so they feel comfortable having them in their home overnight.
A Care Needs Assessment can help to determine the level of support your loved one needs, and whether or not they are eligible for means-tested funding. You may need to pay for some or all of their overnight care, so it is important to explore what they may be eligible for. Our guide can offer further advice: Paying For Care: Who Pays What?
Why Home Instead?
We personalise each and every care package so you get the exact support your loved one needs, whether that means companionship if they struggle to sleep, incontinence care if they have mobility issues and can’t get to the bathroom on their own at night, or overnight medication management to ensure they never miss a dose.
We are proudly rated 9.6 on Homecare.co.uk, with many of our locations also rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Plus, our Care Professionals are flexible and adaptable as overnight care needs change, so whatever your loved one requires, we are on hand to keep them feeling safe and comfortable in the place they love.
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FAQs
What is overnight care, and how does it work?
Overnight care provides professional support during the night for individuals who need assistance, reassurance, or monitoring. A Care Professional stays in the home overnight, either sleeping and being on-call or remaining awake to provide continuous care as needed.
What services are included in overnight care?
Overnight care can include assistance with toileting, repositioning to prevent bedsores, administering medication, and monitoring health conditions. Care Professionals also provide reassurance and respond to any emergencies or needs that arise during the night.
Who can benefit from overnight care?
Overnight care is ideal for individuals with health conditions requiring night-time monitoring, those recovering from surgery, or elderly individuals who feel anxious or unsafe being alone at night. It also provides peace of mind for families who may not be able to provide night-time support.
What is the difference between sleeping and waking night care?
Sleeping night care involves a Care Professional being on-call during the night, sleeping in a separate room and assisting only when needed. Waking night care involves the Care Professional staying awake throughout the night to provide continuous support and monitoring.
How do I arrange overnight care?
To arrange hospice care at home, just get in touch with Home Instead to discuss your needs. We’ll work with you to create a tailored care plan, ensuring your chosen Care Professional is equipped to provide the right level of night-time support.
Diane WIlliams , Head of Quality & Standards
Before joining Home Instead, I built a comprehensive career in the social care sector, beginning in 1991 as a frontline care worker and advancing to senior leadership roles across both private and voluntary sector businesses.
Throughout my career, I have supported diverse care groups in a variety of settings, including community, residential, nursing, and secure environments. My experience spans working with older adults, including those living with dementia; individuals with physical disabilities and complex, long-term health needs; people with learning disabilities, including autism; individuals with enduring mental health challenges; individuals with current or past substance use and those with forensic backgrounds.
In 2002, I qualified as a social worker and have since maintained my professional registration with Social Work England.