The Caregiver’s Compass: An Update on

2AM Wake-Ups and Unexpected Angels: My First Step to Sanity as a Family Caregiver

I originally posted this on LinkedIn, and I almost didn’t—it's more personal than professional. But the truth is, for many of us, especially in my generation, the line between work and home gets blurry when we become Family Caregivers (FCs). The impact is profound, and it’s real.

At 2:00 a.m. this morning, I was jolted awake by a loud crash and the sound of my phone ringing. Instinct kicked in, and I rushed to check on my mom. Thankfully, she was okay—just knocked something over. Once I had her settled, I looked at my phone.

The call was from my new favorite Caregiver survival tool: Home Instead, a Vancouver, WA-based company using Sensi.AI, a smart monitoring system that listens for changes in daily behavior patterns to help caregivers respond proactively.

My mom is 85. About three years ago, she moved in with me after a life of independence in Montana. Since then, we’ve faced the rapid progression of both physical and cognitive decline. The last six months have been a whirlwind of hospital visits, medication changes, sleepless nights, and more tears than I expected—mostly mine.

My brothers had wisely purchased a long-term care policy for Mom, but I never had the time or energy to figure out how to activate it. After her recent heart attack, that “someday task” became urgent.

A quick Yelp search led me to agencies that work with long-term care policies and the VA. One stood out: Home Instead. I sent a message. Within hours, I heard back. Christina, a compassionate and knowledgeable team member, came to meet us the very next day—and took the entire process off my plate. One phone call from me, and she handled the rest.

During her visit, Christina installed the Sensi.AI system in key areas of the house. Before she left, care had already started. I can’t describe the relief of having someone see you, see your loved one, and immediately take action.

Being a Family Caregiver has taught me more than any job I’ve ever had. And one thing is clear: most of us have no idea how to do this. We learn in real time, usually when we’re exhausted and overwhelmed.

So this is the first of what I hope will be a regular series: The Caregiver’s Compass. I’ll be sharing what’s helped me (and what hasn’t), tools I recommend, and real moments like this one.

To fellow FCs: hang in there. You’re not alone. There are resources, even if they’re hard to find.

If you’re in the Vancouver, WA area, I highly recommend contacting Home I

nstead Vancouver and if you would like to email reach out to Christina.Smith@homeinstead.com.

If you're not in the area or don't have access to a similar service, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. Many states have programs that may even compensate you for providing care, depending on your income and situation.

Let’s make the invisible work visible. You are not alone. Join our group page, The Caregiver's Compass 

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(Note: I’ll use “FC” for Family Caregiver and “PC” for Professional Caregiver in future posts.) As always, thank you to ChatGPT for helping take my words and produce clear communication.