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When is Overnight Care Needed?Tuesday, July 29, 2025
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We all hope for an uninterrupted night of restful sleep, but for many of our clients, that’s not their experience. Nighttime can be a tough time for many people—of all ages—but especially so when complex health issues are factored in.
Here are some clients who benefit from overnight care:
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Cognitive or Dementia Support:Marjorie and Harold have been married for 53 years and rarely spent a night apart. Lately, Marjorie has been attempting to sleep in a different room since Harold is up all night, but instead of sleeping, she spends the night listening for his activity and checking on him. With Harold’s advancing dementia, he is now up and active though much of the night, pacing and rummaging through drawers.
It takes hours for him to settle, and even once he does settle, it’s typically short-lived before he’s up and pacing again. Marjorie is exhausted and hasn’t had a proper night’s sleep in months. Marjorie was initially very hesitant to enlist caregiving support. She insisted she was managing and that she could do it. She was partly right—she was doing it. But she is mistaken that she can manage it indefinitely. No one can manage indefinitely in a sleep deprived state, and she was beginning to fray without realizing it.
Marjorie needed respite and overnight care provided the relief she needed. Their caregiver, Kim, arrived at 8pm as scheduled so both Marjorie and Harold could interact with her before bedtime. When Marjorie was ready for bed, she could follow her own bedtime routine without worrying about Harold. Kim then remained with Harold and helped him to get ready for bed too. An hour later when Harold was out of bed, the caregiver remained at his side and provided reassurance. When, every few minutes, he wanted to look for Marjorie, caregiver Kim reassured him each time that Marjorie is sleeping, and we’ll see her at breakfast in the morning. When Harold slowed down, Kim encouraged him to get ready for bed again. The pattern repeated a few times throughout the night, all while Marjorie was finally getting the proper night’s sleep that she deserves.
Physical Limitation:For the past few decades, Betty’s bladder has awakened her 5-6 times every night. It hadn’t been an issue, until she fell in the bathroom at 4am one morning, and fractured her hip. She’s about to be discharged from hospital, and the thought of being alone at night is making her nervous. She did some physio in the hospital, but her walking is unsteady and she’s still getting used to her walker. Her family is concerned about her and worried that in her rush to get to the bathroom, she may forget to use her walker and suffer another fall. Betty and her family are concerned about overnights since that’s when she fell and they know she’ll be up half a dozen times each night.
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Overnight care provides the hands-on care that Betty needs and the peace of mind that her worried family want. Before Betty is even discharged, we schedule the overnight care so it’s in place for the first night home. Betty’s caregiver, Maria, arrives at 9pm, in time to interact with Betty, confirm Betty’s preferences for overnight, and help her with her evening routine. Betty wants Maria to know very clearly that she does not want Maria “watching me sleep”. Betty is capable of calling out for help or ringing the bell she keeps on her bedside table when she awakens and needs the washroom.
Maria will remain in another room overnight, but as soon as Betty calls or rings the bell, she’ll be ready and available to assist Betty to the bathroom. Betty sleeps better knowing that she has help available when she needs it, without worrying about whether her next bathroom trip will result in a fall. Her family also sleep better at night knowing that Betty is safe and has help onsite.
Mental Health Support:Jean and Bill have a regular routine of daytime caregiver assistance. Bill likes to go out and socialize and attend meetings throughout the week, and Jean doesn’t like being alone. She prefers to have someone with her and is highly anxious anytime Bill is out of sight. Bill has been invited to attend a conference out of town and it would require three nights away from home.
Jean becomes anxious just at the thought of it; she does not want to be alone for ten minutes let alone three whole nights. Although their regular schedule is during the daytime, we can certainly provide overnight care for Jean while Bill is away. Jean has the reassurance she needs to not be alone, and Bill can enjoy his time away without worrying about Jean. Both of their needs are met and they can maintain their preferred lifestyle.
Whether overnight care is being provided because of cognitive changes, physical limitations, or mental health support, the peace of mind for both clients and their families is invaluable. Overnights may be temporary following a hospital discharge, or ongoing to provide a care partner spouse with necessary rest. Ensuring that everyone can have the most restful night possible is a top priority. Sweet dreams to all when overnight care is in place! |
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Nicole Jackson 1 June 8, 2026 |
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Avery Hamilton 14 June 4, 2026 |
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Chloe Hamilton 117 June 1, 2026 |
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Lissette Mairena Wong 39 December 10, 2025 |
