Case Management Focus: Recognizing the Role and Importance of Caregivers

As we close November, I wanted to take the time to recognize caregivers. When an employee is injured, others step up to help. These people are family members or friends and act as caregivers for the injured worker. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 23 million family caregivers work in addition to providing unpaid care to a family member or friend with a chronic, serious, or disabling health condition. They save the health care industry millions of dollars through their work. 

November is designated National Caregivers Month, a time when we recognize the role and importance of caregivers. I wanted to remind all that caregivers are members of the healthcare team and need to be included in discussions and the plan of care. We need to keep them in mind as they are vital to help keep the plan of care in place and assist the injured workers with their needs as they recover.  

Many think adults are the primary caregivers in most homes, but I learned years ago that children and young adults are recruited as caregivers. I met with Connie Siskowski, RN, Ph.D., Founder and President of the American Association for Caregiving Youth. She notes especially in these uncertain times and during the month of November, recognizing adult family caregivers, we must also be a voice for the millions of invisible at-risk children and teens who provide care for a family member or loved ones who are chronically ill, injured, elderly, or disabled. 

To recognize children and young adults who serve as caregivers, three Representatives: Lois Frankel, Barbara Lee, and Maria Elvira Salazar, led a resolution in the House of Representatives designating November 13-19, 2022, as National Caregiving Youth Week to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of youth under 18 caring for a loved one. Click here to learn more.

To help you show your support of caregivers, I am sharing 10 Tips from the Care Giver Action Network that you can provide to your injured workers' caregivers. Sharing these tips with the caregivers you work with will show that you recognize them and support them. 

• Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!
• Take care of your health so that you can be strong enough to care for your loved one.
• Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
• Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
• Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
• Watch out for signs of depression, and don't delay getting professional help when needed.
• Be open to new technologies to help you care for your loved one.
• Organize medical information so it's up-to-date and easy to find.
• Make sure legal documents are in order.
• Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the most challenging jobs. 

In closing, I hope you will recognize and include the vital work caregiver plays in your cases as workers' compensation case managers. They need your support and your advocacy!

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