If someone you love needs support throughout the day and night, 24-hour care at home means they never have to face those hours alone, without having to leave the home they know.
At Vitale, we provide 24-hour care across Chichester, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Midhurst, Petworth and the surrounding areas of West Sussex. This page explains how it works, who it suits, and how to arrange it.
What is 24-hour care at home?
24-hour care means a dedicated Care Professional is present and available in your home around the clock. Unlike live-in care, where your Care Professional lives with you but works a ten-hour day with time off, 24-hour care ensures someone is on duty at all times, including through the night.
It provides the same level of support you would receive in a residential care home, but in the comfort and familiarity of your own surroundings.
Who might need 24-hour care?
24-hour care is suitable for a range of situations, including:
Some clients need 24-hour care temporarily, as a bridge after a health event. Others require it as part of their long-term care routine. We tailor every arrangement to the individual.
Sleeping Nights Care and Waking Nights Care – what’s the difference?
If you already have a live-in Care Professional but occasionally need help during the night, this is called Sleeping Nights Care. Your Care Professional can be called upon twice during the night for reasonable support, reassurance, help to the bathroom, or settling back to sleep.
If overnight needs are more frequent or more complex, we move to Waking Nights Care. In this arrangement, a dedicated night Care Professional remains awake and on duty in your home throughout the night, while your live-in Care Professional rests. This combination ensures continuous support without either Care Professional becoming fatigued, which matters for the quality of care you receive.
How to arrange 24-hour care
The process is straightforward and personal.
Step 1 — Call us. We’ll have an initial conversation to understand your situation and answer any questions. There’s no obligation at this stage.
Step 2 — Home assessment. One of our team visits your home to carry out a care assessment. We discuss your needs, preferences and routines so we can match you with the right Care Professional.
Step 3 — Care begins. In many cases we can have care in place within 24 hours of your assessment, particularly if a suitable Care Professional is already available.
Care that adapts as needs change
We review every care plan at the end of the second week, giving enough time to settle in, but not so long that anything important goes unaddressed. After that, we schedule reviews every six months as standard, and immediately if circumstances change: a new diagnosis, a change in medication, or a shift in what your loved one can manage independently.
You and your family are kept informed throughout. We call this your Care Circle, and we treat it as a partnership.
Frequently asked questions
Is 24-hour care the same as live-in care?
No. Live-in care means a Care Professional lives in your home and works a ten-hour day. 24-hour care ensures someone is on duty at all times, including overnight. The two can be combined — a live-in Care Professional for daytime support, and a dedicated waking night carer overnight.
Can 24-hour care be arranged quickly?
Yes. In many cases we can begin care within 24 hours of a home assessment. If you’re arranging care urgently following a hospital discharge, call us and we’ll do everything we can to move quickly.
Do you provide 24-hour care outside Chichester?
Yes. We cover Chichester and the surrounding areas of West Sussex, including Bognor Regis, Midhurst, Petworth and Littlehampton. Call us to confirm coverage in your area.
Is 24-hour care regulated?
Yes. Vitale Care is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). All our Care Professionals are trained, reference-checked and DBS-verified.
How much does 24-hour care at home cost?
The cost depends on the type of support needed. As a guide:
Speak to our team
If you’d like to understand whether 24-hour care is the right option for your family, we’re happy to talk it through, no pressure, no obligation. Talk to our team today.
