How much does overnight care cost?

Overnight care costs can vary depending on the type of service you choose, the level of support you need, and the company or person providing it. Many people wonder if overnight care is affordable, especially when you compare it to moving into a care home or arranging unpaid support from family members. The good news is that there are several options when looking at night care costs, and each choice comes with its own benefits and price ranges.

Overnight care is an option for you or your loved one if you need help during twilight hours, be it support to move around the home, prompt assistance with medication, or just the peace of mind that someone is there should any emergency arise. Whether you live alone or receive significant help from family during the day, having professional care at night can relieve stress and reduce the risk of accidents. Ultimately, the key is finding overnight support in care providers like Tiggo Care’s night care services that suit your budget, preferences, and sense of security.

What is overnight care?

Overnight care simply means having a professional carer in your home during the night. You or your loved one might need support with tasks like toileting, help moving around in bed, or even a little reassurance if you’re anxious. It’s common for people living with conditions that affect their mobility or for those experiencing pain or regular nighttime restlessness. 

Family members often handle daytime responsibilities but find the nighttime hours more challenging, so organising professional overnight care can help everyone get better rest.

There are two main ways overnight care is provided:

• Sleeping night care: A carer sleeps in a spare room and can help once or twice if needed. This suits people who don’t wake up much during the night but still want someone close by for peace of mind.
  
  
• Waking night care: A carer stays awake throughout the night, ready to offer prompt support. This is better if you’re prone to frequent waking, need ongoing attention, or have a condition like dementia that causes nighttime restlessness.

Overnight care can significantly relieve families who worry about falls or confusion after dark. With professional overnight support, you’ll know someone is on hand to assist, whether administering medication as prescribed by a doctor, helping with toileting, or simply offering a calming presence if you’re feeling uneasy.

Cost of overnight home care

The cost of overnight home care depends on several factors, including who provides the service. You can arrange support through:

• A regulated home care company
• A freelance or independent carer
• Specialist care agencies that offer higher-priced packages

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, you may find an independent carer who charges a lower hourly fee, but you might have to manage recruitment, training, scheduling, insurance, and emergency coverage independently. A regulated care company usually takes care of these organisational details and may offer additional support. However, regulated companies can sometimes be more expensive than freelancers.

There are also more high-end agencies in the UK. Interestingly, they provide night-time care that isn’t radically different from what other regulated companies might offer. That said, some people prefer them for their brand reputation or for extra perks, such as a dedicated care manager who conducts frequent assessments. If you’re on a tight budget, you might find these agencies costlier compared to smaller or medium-sized care firms.

In the UK, overnight care costs generally range from £110 to £240 per night.

Typical price ranges

• Sleeping night care: Often starts from about £110 to £230 per night if the carer is permitted to rest when you are sleeping, although they remain on call if you need support once or twice.
  
  
• Waking night care: Typically charged at an hourly rate, usually from £20 to £30. If the carer’s rate is £20 an hour and you want them on duty for nine hours, that comes to roughly £180 per night. If you need a longer shift, for instance, ten or twelve hours, the total cost would be higher. Also, in certain regulated care companies, the cost of waking night carers begins at £319.50.

Keep in mind that these figures can vary depending on your location in the UK, the complexity of your needs, and the company’s fee structure.

Cheaper than a care home

In many situations, overnight care at home can cost the same or even less than living in a residential care home. Residential fees add up because you are paying for a complete package: accommodation, meals, staff on duty, and shared facilities. 

On the other hand, overnight care at home allows you to keep living in your own space and pay only for the hours and services you genuinely need. Another financial consideration is that when local authorities check whether you’re eligible for funding, the value of your home is typically not included if you continue to live in your own home. By contrast, if you move to a care home, the property you leave behind will be counted in your assets.

What affects overnight care costs?

Several factors influence night care costs, and being aware of these can help you budget and make informed decisions:

1. Type of night service

• Sleeping Night: More affordable because the carer can rest if you are settled throughout the night. You may only need occasional support.
  
  
• Waking Night: More expensive because the carer stays awake to continuously look after you. If you wake frequently during the night or require ongoing monitoring, a waking night arrangement is required.

2. Carer’s experience and training

You may require carers with more specialised training, particularly if you have been told by your GP that you have a complex medical condition. While they cannot diagnose or treat you, they can assist with tasks and routines that your doctor or therapist has recommended. Highly trained carers often charge more, but they can handle more complex routines and keep you safer.

3. Length of shift

Rates go up with longer shifts, so if you require someone for ten or twelve hours, you can expect to pay more than you would for an eight-hour night.

4. Location

Costs differ around the UK. London and the southeast of England tend to be more expensive than other parts of the country. Meanwhile, rural areas can sometimes have fewer carer options, which may drive costs higher because of travel and availability.

5. Agency vs. freelancer

• Agency or regulated company: You often pay more with a regulated care provider, but you will receive a complete service with guaranteed cover if your usual carer is sick or unavailable. You’ll also benefit from enhanced background and criminal record checks and professional oversight.
  
  
• Freelance carer: This can be cheaper, but you carry the responsibility for arranging cover if they fall ill, and it may be trickier to ensure continuity of care or consistent quality. You also have to handle tax, insurance, and potential safeguarding checks yourself.

6. Support needs

If you need extra help with personal care, medication prompts, or mobility throughout the night, the price will likely be higher compared to someone who mostly sleeps and only needs minimal support. More frequent interactions inevitably mean more active monitoring by the carer.

Can you get help paying for overnight care?

Paying for any kind of care can feel intimidating, especially when you’re unsure how much support you can receive. The good news is that there are options for financial help in the UK.

1. Local Authority Funding
   If your total assets (including savings and certain investments) are below £23,250, your local authority might contribute towards your overnight care costs. You can organise a financial assessment by contacting your local council. If you qualify, you may get partial or full funding, depending on how much you have in assets and income.
   
   
2. Self-Funding
   If your assets exceed £23,250, you usually have to pay for some or all of your care. You might still receive advice from the local council, but you’ll bear the responsibility of covering the fees yourself.
   
   
3. Direct Payments
   Instead of having the council fully manage your care package, you can receive direct payments. You then use these funds to organise care visits or arrange overnight support. This approach can be helpful if you want more control over your choice of company or carer.
   
   
4. NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
   In cases where you or your loved one has significant health needs, the NHS Continuing Healthcare Fund might fund or contribute to the cost of ongoing care at home. If you think you might be eligible, talk to your GP for advice. The application can be complex, so it helps to gather detailed medical information.
   
   
5. Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance
   If you are over State Pension age, you could be eligible for Attendance Allowance to help with the costs of personal care or supervision. Carer’s Allowance is also available for the person who looks after you, though eligibility criteria apply.
   

Conclusion 

Overnight care doesn’t have to be out of reach. By comparing different providers, checking what your local authority might fund, and weighing up the benefits of regulated companies versus freelance carers, you’ll be able to find an option that aligns with your preferences and financial situation. Many people discover that overnight care costs are more manageable than they first thought, especially when they look into local authority assistance or direct payments.

If you’re interested in arranging night care at home and want a trustworthy service that puts your needs first, Tiggo Care is ready to help. We pride ourselves on providing a person-centred care approach that helps you stay comfortable and safe in your own home. Our professional team will create a personalised care plan to suit your preferences, from sleep-in support to waking night assistance. Contact our team, and we’ll guide you through the process, chat with you about your needs, and ensure everything is arranged to give you or your loved one a safe and peaceful nighttime experience.