Older people living alone may find nights particularly lonely and unsettling, but regular contact and support can provide reassurance
— Millions of older people live alone, many following bereavements. While some people, of course, prefer their own company or live alone by choice, for others this can create difficulties, including loneliness, social isolation, anxiety about what might happen if they fall or become unwell, and reluctance to leave home.
The hardest aspect for many isn’t necessarily keeping busy and fulfilled during the day, but being alone at night, especially in winter, when colder, darker evenings and mornings can make the world seem more daunting.
Guardian Angel Carers, a nationwide home care specialist, has shared insight into why living alone can feel more challenging at night, how support at home overnight can help, and what loved ones can do to offer reassurance, even if they can’t be there every evening.
Why Living Alone Can Feel More Challenging at Night
In 2023, 4.2 million people aged 65 and over were living alone in England, according to the Centre for Ageing Better. The number of men aged 65 and over living alone has risen by 66% in the 20 years to 2023, so the gap between older men and older women living on their own is narrowing.
For many, the daytime offers ample opportunities to stay in touch with friends and family, whether shopping, attending appointments, catching up with friends, organising video calls, watching TV and staying busy with hobbies, or simply sitting in the garden with a cup of tea.
However, even for those older people who are comfortable living independently, the silence and darkness of the night can feel very different. Individual experiences are never identical, but many families note that loved ones worry about falling when using the bathroom or fetching a drink in the dark, struggling to get out of bed, waking up feeling confused, and being unsettled by unfamiliar noises.
Having nobody to immediately call for help can contribute to distress, even if nothing specific has happened to suggest that the individual is struggling. This is especially true for those missing the presence of a partner or companion and trying to move forward alone.
Other people might feel anxious about needing to leave their home in the dark, particularly during those darker mornings and evenings. Common concerns relate to the potential to slip or fall on ice and wet surfaces, not being able to see clearly, or not knowing whether or not neighbours and other friendly faces might be around to help should they need it.
These issues are also not limited to older adults, and people of all ages might feel lonely or anxious when alone at night. Concerns about isolation also aren’t solely linked to ageing, but the emotional distress associated with loneliness can be significant for some older people, including those with health needs or mobility limitations.
How Families Can Help Loved Ones Feel Less Alone
It is normal to worry about whether an older relative is well and comfortable at home, particularly if they live alone or too far away to check in on easily. Before assuming the nights are the hard part, it is worth asking them gently. It might not be, and company at a different time of day may matter more to them.
That said, families can take steps to help ensure a loved one knows that support is there for them, whether a voice at the end of a regular evening call or an emergency contact who will be alerted if a home safety device, emergency cord, or button is activated.
Families can also spend time with loved ones on a consistent schedule, so they have something fun to look forward to, and might look at how to make a home easier to move around in the dark. For example, installing nightlights, grab rails and ramps, where appropriate, may make the risk of a fall less likely.
It is also worth agreeing on who they should call and setting up a video calling app if they are comfortable with one, so they know there is always someone to reach out to on a difficult day.
Many older people cope perfectly well living alone, and the right practical or emotional support may look different for each family, but opening a conversation about whether a relative is anxious, or whether they would appreciate more assistance or contact, is often beneficial.
When Home Care May Be Suitable for Overnight Support
Home care is often associated with daytime visiting care. This support may be useful when families are dealing with other commitments and time pressures and want a professional carer to visit their loved ones on a consistent schedule to ensure they are well and comfortable.
There may also be situations where older adults prefer overnight care instead of, or alongside, daytime care. This will often depend on their needs and whether they feel more vulnerable at night and require support to continue living independently in familiar surroundings.
Overnight care services may be particularly important following a bereavement, when adjusting to an empty home or sudden changes to routine, often after many years, may take time. In these cases, a warm, friendly and compassionate carer can offer reassurance and ensure that there is a helping hand nearby when it is most needed.
In other circumstances, overnight care is chosen as the most practical way to provide the support an older person might need. Someone who is worried about getting up during the night, struggling with stairs in the dark, or who wants to know they can access support if they feel unwell may feel far more confident knowing help is available.
This helps to reinforce independence, while giving families the knowledge that older loved ones aren’t spending the night alone.
Overnight care will not be right for every older person living alone, but for those who find the evenings and nights hardest, it can change how the whole day feels.
About the company: Guardian Angel Carers is a home care group founded in 2012 and now operating through 18 locally owned territories across England, supported by a National Office in Chichester. Its branches provide visiting care, waking nights, sleep-ins and Live-in Care, from companionship through to complex needs, so that people can stay in their own homes as their needs change.
Contact Info:
Name: Vikki Craig-Vickers
Email: Send Email
Organization: Guardian Angel Carers
Website: https://www.gacarers.co.uk/
Release ID: 89204357
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