Treating and collaborating with family caregivers in the rehabilitation of persons with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Family members are an important source of support for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the recovery process and are potential partners in the rehabilitation process. Unfortunately, family members often experience substantial emotional distress and disruption of family functioning. These difficulties can impact the rehabilitation process and the recovery of the person with injury. Understanding the problems faced by family members and potential ways to assist them in helping the person with injury to achieve maximum functioning is important for neuropsy- chologists working in the area of TBI. The current chapter begins with an overview of the types of difficulties faced by family members in the acute and chronic phases of TBI. Next, an overview will be provided of the ways in which neuropsychologists can work with family members in different treatment settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, post-acute rehabilitation, and private practice. For each setting, case examples are provided to describe the role of the family in treatment and how the neu- ropsychologist can meet family members' needs and involve them as partners in the rehabilitation process. The chapter ends with additional tips for working with family caregivers after TBI, along with a sample of educa- tional resources that can be distributed to family members.