Looking after a parent who is finding day-to-day life more challenging is a natural progression for many of us. 

While we want to support our parents so they can continue living as independently as possible and doing the things they love, we also need the peace of mind to know they are safe and cared for. 

Whether you provide support through daily visits to assist them in their own home, or they have moved into your home alongside you and your family, caring for a parent is rewarding but can also be both emotionally and physically exhausting.  

Could night-time care give you the support you need to continue to care for your parents at home? 

When to consider using night time respite care 

Daily visits providing support to your parent can be enormously beneficial for your loved one, giving you an opportunity to both spend time with them and to assess how they are coping. If your parent is living with you, this reduces the need to fit visits into an already busy day as you can share some of the care, whilst they benefit from being part of a family home.   

Both of these scenarios can work very well, but over time, your parent’s situation may change, often linked to reduced mobility or cognitive decline.  

When this happens, it is inevitable that their care requirements increase along with their reliance on you and the time you spend assisting them.  

Even if you can accommodate this shift in routine, it can impact your own work and family-life balance. Juggling work commitments with those of your family and needing to consider how best to support your parent’s needs, can leave you feeling exhausted with no opportunity to recharge your batteries.  

If this situation is prolonged, you may find that your own health and well-being suffer and that the enjoyment of spending time with your parent, together with your ability to provide adequate care, could be compromised. 

What are the benefits of respite care at night? 

Night time can be a tricky time for many older people, both getting ready for bed and if they need to get up during the night. According to Age UK falls at night time are a major area of concern for people wanting to maintain their independence at home.  

If you are providing daytime visits to your parent, it is natural to be concerned about how they will cope when you are not around during the night. Even when your loved-one is sharing your home, rather than providing you with greater reassurance that they are nearby, anxiety about the possibility of them falling may still prevent you from getting a truly restful night’s sleep. 

Night time respite care, means that you can gain some much-needed rest and relaxation to catch up on your own sleep with complete peace-of-mind that your loved one is being cared for.  

Assist Care Group expertly matches the temperament and experience of one of our night carers to those of your loved one to ensure a smooth transition from day to night care.  

Depending on the individual circumstances and care requirements involved, we may suggest a sleep-in carer who is on hand to provide reassurance and any care needed during the night.  

If, however, more regular care provision is required throughout the night in terms of monitoring or assistance with personal care, a carer can be provided who will remain awake throughout the night, handing care back to you at the start of the day. 

If you feel that night time respite care might suit you and your loved one, contact us at Assist Care Group to discuss the different options available to ensure peace-of-mind and a good night’s sleep.