What are the Benefits of Overnight Care?

If you're struggling to cope on your own at night, overnight care at home could be the answer.

Getting a good night’s sleep can be tricky at the best of times but for elderly and vulnerable people, or those who live with a health condition, it can be even harder. Fortunately, overnight care is a great option for anyone needing extra support during the night. Here are just some of the benefits.

1. Better quality sleep – knowing that someone is on hand to help you whenever you need it, means you’re more likely to be able to relax, which in turn makes it more likely that you can drift off and get some quality rest. Sleeping well is essential for your overall physical and mental health -  lack of sleep can contribute towards problems like high blood pressure and depression. Quality rest also means you’ll be more alert during the day, so you can carry on with as full and active a life as possible.
2. Reassurance for you and your family – if you’re struggling to cope on your own at night, it not only makes you more stressed (and less likely to get some quality shut-eye) but it affects your family too. Many relatives simply don’t have the ability to take on night care. For those who are able, it can be exhausting, especially if they have a job or family of their own. That’s where good night care can give everyone peace of mind.
3. Practical help – if you have cognitive or mobility problems, simple things like getting a drink or going to the toilet during the night can be quite challenging. Having someone there to help you move into a more comfortable position, get in and out of bed, take medication or deal with an emergency is invaluable.
4. Lower risk of falls or accidents – we can all be a bit fuzzy-headed and unsteady on our feet when we wake up in the middle of the night. Add low light or night-time visual difficulties to the mix and it could be a recipe for disaster. Good night care can help lower the likelihood of falls, both at night and due to tiredness during the day. With falls being the most common cause of death from injury in the over 65s, the more we can all do to prevent them, the better.
5. Companionship and security – if you’re feeling unwell or vulnerable during the night, having a hand to hold and someone to talk to can be a lifesaver. Worries often seem to be amplified when we’re lying awake at night, so it can be a real comfort to have support by your side when you need it. For people with cognitive conditions like dementia, night-time can be particularly challenging, so a friendly, reassuring presence is very useful in helping them cope.

What kind of night care is available?

It all depends on your individual needs, but night carers can either sleep in or stay awake throughout their shift.

Sleeping nights – Your Care Assistant sleeps in a spare room but can be woken if you need them. It’s a great option if you require the odd bit of support and gives you peace of mind that someone you can trust is nearby should you need help.

Waking nights – This is the best solution for those who need a higher level of care or monitoring at night, e.g. people living with severe dementia or requiring end of life care. Your Care Assistant doesn’t sleep, so can they attend to you when you need them. When you’re sleeping, they can also get on with other household tasks that might need attention without disturbing you.

Delivering quality overnight care in South London 

We provide bespoke overnight care to customers throughout the Clapham and Streatham area – from short-term respite and post-surgery support to long term night care. If you need more support at night-time or have an elderly or vulnerable relative who might benefit from having a carer in their home overnight,  contact our Bluebird Care team for an informal chat.