Do Live-in Carers Stay Overnight?

Yes, live-in carers do stay overnight to handle occasional wake-ups, but they might not be able to support those who wake throughout the night.

What is Live-In Care? The Essential Guide For 2024

Read Now

Does That Mean They Are Always on Duty?

No, a live-in carer does not always remain on duty. They are there to provide ‘sleeping night’ cover, which means they may be awoken a few times through the night to provide assistance. If your loved one needs a higher level of support overnight, other arrangements may need to be made.

There are various care options available to ensure your loved one has the safest and most comfortable environment, such as live-in carers for emergencies, hourly care for planned wake-ups and 24-hour care for unpredictable nights.

Why Is Overnight Care Important?

Live-in care is vital for your loved ones who need the full-time support that you may not be able to provide yourself. Night times can be a very stressful and confusing time and a live-in carer can help with the following:

• Administrating medication.
• Changing positions throughout the night.
• Peace of mind for yourself and your loved one.
• Avoiding accidents, e.g. falls.
• Assisting with toilet trips.

Having someone to help you provide all these things can make a huge difference in your family’s overall health. Having a restful sleep every night is incredibly important.

What if My Loved One Wakes Often at Night?

As your live-in carer resides in the home of your beloved, they shall be there to provide support and assistance whenever required during the night, should any extraordinary incidents occur. Nonetheless, if nighttime proves to be a difficult period, additional provisions may have to be taken into consideration. It is of the utmost importance that your carer is able to have a peaceful and restful sleep in order to ensure they are able to provide the highest quality of care throughout the day.

Check out our article on live-in carer hours to find out what you can expect from a live-in carer.

GP Support

If your beloved is going through difficulty or distress during the night, then your GP should be able to assist. It is possible that some of the medications your loved one is taking may be influencing their sleeping habits. If so, you should communicate your apprehensions to your GP and ascertain whether or not any modifications can be made to ensure they can benefit from a good night’s sleep.

Family Support:

If you anticipate that the night-time activity should be allayed within a short while – in particular, when a new medication has commenced or after an operation – then you may be able to provide a relief carer in the mornings so that the existing carer may enjoy some much-needed sleep before the next night falls. While most carers can manage these problematic nights, it is essential to find ways to enable them to take a break and restore their energy.

Overnight Carer:

If the first two steps are impractical, then you may need to consider an overnight carer. Overnight carers are an excellent option for those looking for night-time assistance for their loved ones. This type of care is ideal for those who require regular medication or position changes during the night and can provide invaluable peace of mind. These carers are generally booked for waking nights where they don’t expect to get much, if any, sleep during the night.

It Could Be Time to Consider a Nursing Home

Whilst a nursing home may not be the most ideal solution, if your loved one requires a team of carers around them 24 hours a day, it may be the most sensible choice.

Staying at home is, of course, an incredibly desirable option; however, it is crucial to consider the safety of your loved one and the financial implications of this before making a decision. Unfortunately, in some cases, the resources available to carers can be limited and insufficient to meet the needs of the individual.

Conclusion

You and your loved one have a range of options at your disposal to make your lives as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. It is essential that you both consider the available options and discuss any expectations or limitations with your carer.

If you would like to learn more about live-in care, then read our complete guide to live-in care.