Waking night care
A waking night carer stays awake throughout the night to provide active support, for example for someone who needs regular repositioning, frequent personal care, or who is at higher risk of falls or medical episodes overnight.
Sleep-in support
A sleep-in carer is present overnight and available to help if needed, but is expected to sleep for most of the night unless called upon. This suits people whose overnight needs are occasional rather than continuous.
How to decide which is needed
The right choice depends on how often support is likely to be needed overnight and how quickly it needs to be given. A care assessment can help establish the right level of overnight support.
Reviewing arrangements
Overnight needs can change, for example after a hospital stay or a deterioration in health, so overnight support should be reviewed alongside the rest of the care plan.
Common questions
Can overnight support be added to existing daytime visits?
Yes, overnight support can usually be arranged alongside daytime visits as part of an overall care package.