What can be done to assist caregivers?
Caregivers, like patients, must be educated to meet the demands of the rehabilitation plan that is set up for their family member. In fact, they should be included in the development of this plan. Specifically, educational topics should include:
- The cause and effect of the injury or illness
- Any potential complications of the injury or illness, and information on how to recognize and prevent these complications
- Medicines, their schedule, side effects, and functions
- Required exercises and task-learning techniques
- The social and emotional tasks of a person in rehabilitation
- How to reintegrate the person into the community after rehabilitation
If this preparation is not provided, caregivers may be overprotective of their family member and unwittingly impede the recovery process.
Not only should caregivers be educated for their role, they must also be supported. Whether this is a counseling program or a problem-solving supportive team interaction, support helps diminish the isolation and anxiety associated with caregiving.
Caregivers must also find time for themselves, away from their caregiving roles. This perhaps is the most important, yet least available, coping strategy that may be accessible to caregivers.
It would be helpful, as suggested by recent research, to actually study the needs of caregivers before releasing an injured family member into the home. For example, necessary home modifications or a lack of care providers is critical information in making a successful rehabilitation plan for persons recovering from illnesses such as stroke or traumatic brain injury.
The importance of caregivers cannot be underestimated in the role of the successful rehabilitation of injury survivors. As caregivers gain confidence they and their loved ones, should find caregiving less stressful and more rewarding.