In-home care services
Overnight care at home: awake caregivers and nighttime safety
Overnight care is a caregiver in the home during the night, so an older adult is safe while the family sleeps. It comes in two forms: awake overnight care, where the caregiver stays alert all night, and sleep-in care, where the caregiver rests nearby and wakes if needed.
Awake versus sleep-in
Awake overnight care fits people who are up often, wander, need help to the toilet, or are at high risk of a fall at night. Sleep-in care fits people who sleep most of the night and need reassurance and occasional help. Agencies price them differently, so ask which one you are being quoted.
What an overnight caregiver does
- Stays in the home and responds when the person wakes
- Helps with toileting and getting back to bed safely
- Reassures and redirects someone who is confused or frightened
- Keeps an eye out for wandering and unlocked doors
- Leaves a short note for the family in the morning
Planning overnight care
Many families begin with one or two nights a week to catch up on sleep, and add more as needed. Agree on the start and end times, what the caregiver may do, and how to reach someone at the agency overnight. Compare with live-in care if help is needed most nights.
What overnight care costs
The national median for in-home care is about $35 an hour (CareScout 2025), roughly $3,033 a month for 20 hours a week and $6,067 for 40 hours. Overnight shifts are often priced differently from daytime hours, so ask for the rate and any minimum. Rates by state are on our cost of care page, and the paying for care guide covers private pay, long-term care insurance, VA benefits and Medicaid waivers.
Find in-home care agencies near you
Enter a city or ZIP code, or browse every state. Each listing shows its public rating and, where the state publishes a roster, the license number and the date we checked it.
Questions about overnight care
Can the caregiver sleep?
Only on sleep-in shifts. Awake overnight care means the caregiver stays alert the whole shift.
Who is overnight care for?
People who are up at night, at high risk of falls, or living with dementia, and family caregivers who need uninterrupted sleep.
How many nights can I book?
Most agencies offer one night to every night. Ask about minimums and notice for changes.