Sleeping Night Vs Waking Night Care: What’s the difference?

For those who need extra support during the day, the idea of spending the night without support is a daunting prospect for both them and their family. Overnight home care ensures that your loved one still gets the support they need throughout the night. There are two different types of overnight care: sleeping night care and waking night care. But what are the differences? How can you be sure you’re making the right choice of care for your family? 

What is sleeping night care? 

Sleeping night care (also called sleep-in care) refers to a type of overnight care service provided to individuals who need assistance during the night, typically elderly or disabled individuals. This care is usually offered by professional carers who stay overnight in the person’s home to monitor their wellbeing, provide help with mobility, assist with toileting, ensure safety, and offer companionship. Sleeping night care guarantees that the person receives the necessary support while the carer is present throughout the night, but the carer may sleep during non-active hours. It’s ideal for individuals who require some supervision but do not need full-time attention.

What is waking night care? 

Waking night care is a type of overnight care where a carer remains awake throughout the night to provide continuous support to individuals, typically elderly or disabled individuals, who require assistance. This service is for those who need help with tasks such as mobility, medication management, or emergency support during the night. Waking night care ensures the carer is fully alert and available to respond to the individual’s needs at any time. It provides peace of mind for individuals requiring consistent monitoring and support through the night.

What’s the difference between sleeping and waking night care? 

There are distinct differences between sleeping and waking night care, and it’s important to consider if you want to choose the right care for your loved one. Here are the main responsibilities of each care service: 

Waking night care 

Waking night care provides overnight assistance to individuals, typically the elderly or those with disabilities, who need ongoing support throughout the night. 

• Remaining awake: Carers remain awake to ensure the person’s safety and well-being, offering help with various tasks. 
• Monitoring health: Carers are trained to assist with medications and address medical concerns as they arise. They can assist with mobility, such as getting out of bed or using the bathroom, and may also help with personal care like toileting or repositioning. 
• Complex care: Waking night carers are specially trained to provide care for various complex conditions and medical needs, including dementia, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinsons. 
• Emotional reassurance: Waking night care also offers companionship, providing emotional support and reassurance during the night. 
• Peace of mind: Knowing that a carer is on hand anytime during the night provides great peace of mind not only to the person who needs care, but also their family, who can rest safe in the knowledge their loved one is being catered to.  

Sleeping night care 

The responsibilities of a sleeping night carer involve providing limited support throughout the night. 

• Waking occasionally: The carer typically remains asleep but is available to wake up when needed, usually around twice during the night. 
• Reassurance and emotional support: Often, the primary role of a sleeping night carer is to offer reassurance and support to the person in their care, ensuring the individual feels safe and comfortable. 
• Basic task assistance: Carers assist with basic care tasks, such as helping with trips to the bathroom, repositioning, or offering pain management. 
• Peace of mind: The carer is there to provide peace of mind, ensuring the person’s wellbeing without the need for constant attention.

How do you know if sleeping or waking care is right for your loved one? 

When deciding which type of care is right for your loved one, it’s important to consider their specific needs and the level of support required during the night. Waking night care is ideal for individuals who need regular support and monitoring due to complex health issues, illness, injury, or other conditions that require constant attention. Carers stay awake throughout the night to assist with mobility, medication, or emergencies.

Sleeping night care, however, is better suited for those who rarely need overnight help but might benefit from extra support if needed, with the carer available only when necessary. 

How to arrange sleeping or waking night care 

Arranging overnight care should be quick and easy so that your loved one can access the support they need. You can start the process by simply filling in our form or giving us a call at 01494 917 344. 

We’ll get in touch to find out more about your family member’s needs, assigning a dedicated care manager to visit their home and create a personalised care plan. There’s no pressure to move forward with the plan they offer, but it will give you a clearer idea of the type of support your loved one needs. With a tailored plan in place, we’ll then match your loved one to a carer who matches their personality and requirements. 

Sleeping or waking night care with Ashridge Home Care

At Ashridge Home Care, we’re proud to be rated Outstanding in Caring by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a testament to the exceptional service we provide. When you choose our overnight care, you’ll experience our award-winning care first-hand, with dedicated, one-on-one support tailored to your loved one’s unique needs. Our team of carers is hand-picked for their compassion, professionalism, and expertise. All carers undergo comprehensive in-house training, ensuring they maintain the high standards of care we’re known for. With Ashridge, you can trust that your loved one will receive the highest level of comfort and attention, day or night. 

If you want to find out more about our sleeping and waking care services, get in touch with us today. Our team will be happy to walk you through everything, from arranging care to pricing structures.