When is Overnight Care the Right Choice for Your Loved One?
Overnight Care Services
Thinking about professional care for a loved one? Find out when to consider overnight care. Overnight care services across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
If you have been managing a loved one’s care for a while, it can be difficult to recognise when they need more support - be it medically, physically, or emotionally.
As a family carer, you can only do so much. Seeking professional support for someone’s care needs is a proactive decision that ensures they are always put first.
In this blog, we will discuss what overnight care is, what it involves, and when it might be time to consider it as a possibility for your loved one.
What is Overnight Care?
Simply put, overnight care is any type of care delivered from the evening until the following morning.
The reality is, for many people, care needs don’t disappear when the working day ends. Overnight care can be a great solution to help people with more complex medical needs to remain safe and cared for in their own home.
There are two different types of overnight care:
Sleep-in care: A carer will be there to provide reassurance and on-call support. They will spend the night sleeping in their own private room.
Awake care: The carer will remain awake for the duration of the night to provide constant monitoring, and is available for any needs the client may have.
In either case, carers typically stay for at least 10 hours, and they will be prepared to handle unexpected or emergency situations.
What does Overnight Care involve?
Requirements will vary from person to person, but overnight care can involve responsibilities such as:
Mobility support, including help getting in, out of, and turning in bed;
Administering medication;
Companionship;
Personal care like changing, showering, going to the bathroom;
Preparing breakfast.
When to Consider Overnight Care for your Loved One
When medical needs escalate
If your loved one’s medical needs are becoming more significant or complex, it might be time to think about overnight care.
This is particularly important if medication needs to be given at certain times, symptoms need to be monitored, or pain relief needs to be administered.
Overnight care can also be arranged as a short-term solution for the transition from staying in hospital to returning home - for example, when recovering from surgery or a major medical procedure.
Frequent overnight waking
As they age, people can start to experience interrupted sleep, and in some cases even insomnia.
If your loved one is frequently waking up, their lack of visibility and tiredness can create a risk of disorientation and falls.
An overnight carer can help clients to retain independence, helping them get out of bed and to the bathroom during the night. They also help ensure safety and security, as they can act quickly in case of emergency.
Anxiety about evenings alone
Being alone at night can be a distressing experience - particularly for those with conditions like Dementia, who can experience something called “sundowning” which causes feelings of intense confusion and agitation in the evenings.
Overnight care provides reassurance when people feel vulnerable. A friendly conversation and some companionship can help people feel relaxed and secure enough to get a better night’s sleep.
When carers need a break
When care needs escalate, it can be hard for family members to carry the responsibility alone - especially if care is required around the clock.
Overnight care gives family carers a much-needed break, so they can prioritise their own self-care.
This can also ensure that loved ones remain in their own homes for as long as possible, rather than needing to move into residential care to get the care they require.
Professional Overnight Care Services in Scotland
If this blog has made you think that professional overnight care could be the solution your loved one needs, we would love to help.
At Medway Care Services, we pride ourselves on offering compassionate care at home across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Our registered manager is an experienced nurse, who will chat with you extensively to learn about your specific needs before putting a bespoke overnight care package in place for your family member.
Our recent Care Inspectorate Report, highlighted the quality of the care we provide, and we received a ‘Good’ rating for our well-trained staff, continuity of care provided, our thorough care plans, and our experienced managers.
Most importantly, the report showed that our clients felt respected and satisfied with their service, which only highlights our commitment to delivering person-centred care.
If you would like to find out more, read our guide on arranging a professional care at home package, or get in touch to speak to our team about our professional overnight care services across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
