emotional
Sleep When Nights Are Broken
Practical ideas for caregivers whose loved one wakes at night.
4 min readReviewed 9/4/2026
You cannot pour from an empty cup. Guard sleep like a medication.
Rotate nights with a family member or hire an overnight companion once a week. Keep a firm morning wake-up time even if the night was bad. Skip late caffeine. If your loved one is up-and-wandering, ask the doctor about sundowning; sometimes a small daytime activity change is enough.
Checklist
- One protected night per week
- Same morning wake-up time daily
- No caffeine after 2 pm
- Ask about sundowning if wandering
Sources
National Institute on Aging
General information — not medical, legal, or clinical advice. In an emergency call 911.