My husband and I have tried everything to help my 90 yr old Alzheimer’s father from wandering and waking every hour at night. His dr. gave us a prescription for Trazadone (did not work). Used soothing music and aromatic scents (diffuser with lavender oil). CBD oil. Meletonine. Exercise him during the day. He does katnap during the morning because he does not sleep at night. We installed a camera to catch him. He wakes up throughout the night seeking the bathroom though he uses depends. Some night he strips himself. He can get to and use his bedside bathroom chair, sometimes he goes back to bed but most times begins to wander. We do not lock him in his room and he opens his bedroom door and wanders through the house turning on lights. When we get up to get him back to bed he says he doesn’t know what he is doing. Since we have a bell on his walker and the camera we hear him and jump up and tend to him and get him clothed (because he sometimes strips himself) take him to the restroom and guide him back to bed till the next hour. He does not have a UTI per doctor. Needless to say we are getting no sleep. We just don’t know what to do and feel this is how it’s going to be for him and us. No problem with him during the day. I know this is called sun downing and did my research but geez who can go on without sleep. In a months time he has slept a 4 hour stretch three times. I also have learned that everyone is different and what works for one person does not for another. I’m trying desperately for what may work for him. Just not there yet. Would appreciate any suggestions.
If nothing can be found to help him sleep longer periods through the night, safe-guarding everything you can think of in the house would be the first step. Locking up cleaning products, unsafe utensils, etc and ensuring there's no access to outside (keyed deadbolt), removing stove controls and/or locking the controls (microwaves have had this feature a long time, newer stoves, washers, dryers also have these now), etc to protect him (and you) from doing unsafe things, why not just let him wander? Sure, he strips. Doesn't hurt anything. If he eliminates outside the bathroom, that would be a problem, but wandering about the house and turning on lights doesn't hurt anything. It might disturb your sleep, so if that continues to be an issue, trying medications until you find something that works might be the only solution other than finding a place for him.
If nothing else works, it might be best to find a safe place for him. Wandering within MC units may be acceptable, but if he wanders into other's rooms, they will want something (Rx) to help prevent this as well. Thankfully my mother never really had an issue sleeping, so that's about all I can suggest. Sleep is important for all, so hoping you can find a good solution!