A closer look at Night-Time Home Care

When people first think about home care, they often imagine help during the day – whether it’s for personal care, companionship, or more tailored support for medical needs. But for many individuals, the need for assistance doesn’t stop at bedtime. That’s where overnight care becomes an essential part of their overall wellbeing. At Vitale Care, based in Chichester, we offer night-time care that brings reassurance and continuity for clients and their families when it’s needed most. What Does Overnight Care Involve? Nightime care means a dedicated Vitale Care Professional remains in the home throughout the night, fully awake and on hand to assist whenever required. This is different from a “sleeping night care”, where a carer sleeps in the home, and a client can wake them if needed (but no more than twice per night). Waking night care is particularly suited to those who need frequent attention during the night. It can be arranged as a temporary measure or as part of an ongoing care plan, and often works alongside daytime visits or live-in care support. Who Might Benefit from Night Care? There are various situations where this service can make a real difference, such as: • Supporting someone recently discharged from hospital who may be unsteady or vulnerable at night. • Assisting a person with dementia who becomes confused or anxious during the evening hours (commonly referred to as sundowning). • Providing help with medication that needs to be taken at set times overnight. • Offering gentle, round-the-clock support for someone receiving end-of-life care. • Simply being there for someone who wakes often and feels uneasy being alone. Family members, healthcare professionals, or our own Care Professionals may recognise when night care is becoming necessary. If a live-in carer is being disturbed multiple times a night, this is often a sign that additional night-time cover is needed. Why Overnight Care Makes a Difference Having a carer present through the night provides much more than just practical help – it brings comfort, dignity, and a sense of security. Whether it's helping someone to the bathroom, making a warm drink, or just offering a calming presence during restless hours, overnight care can provide reassurance and peace of mind. For families, it means being able to rest more easily, knowing that someone reliable and trained is there to support their loved one if needed. We often find that night care is misunderstood – people may think it’s only relevant in the final stages of life or believe live-in carers are always able to manage overnight needs. In face, waking night care is a specific and valuable service that plays a vital role in maintaining comfort and safety during the night. If you’d like to chat about how night care could support you or someone you care about – either for a short period or as part of a longer arrangement – we’re here to help. Based near Chichester, we support clients throughout West Sussex.

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