Reducing Caregiver Burden in Families of Injured Workers

The shock of a catastrophic injury can be devastating for the family of an injured worker. It can be a long-term, life-changing event that requires restructuring family dynamics and can lead to emotional, physical, and financial strain for caregivers.

“Catastrophic claims do not end at indemnity and medical; they create secondary productivity loss through caregiver burden,” said Jayde Laxton, Managing Director – Workers’ Compensation Claims at Safety National. “The massive toll that healthcare labor takes on a family member is often ignored, particularly when they are unprepared for how to handle it. Recognizing the stress an injured worker’s family may face and knowing how to help them manage it can create a healthy environment that supports recovery.”

Here, we review some of the most common areas of a family’s life that may be affected and how claim stakeholders, such as a nurse case manager, can help.

Family Economic Impact

Caregivers who are now responsible for the primary care of an injured employee often experience reduced work capacity, leading to absenteeism or a complete exit from the workforce, depending on care needs. While some injured workers will require home health assistance to reduce the burden, primary care is still left to unpaid family members or close friends within their support system. In fact, 1-in-5 full-time workers is a caregiver for someone who is aging, has a serious illness, or has a disability.

Psychological Burdens

Many caregivers experience high rates of stress, depression, and disruption to their personal well-being while caring for a catastrophically-injured family member. They may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The secondary trauma a caregiver may experience can be a result of employees who were harmed through violent incidents, industrial accidents, or first responder injuries.

Commonly used tools to assess a caregiver’s burden include the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), and the Perceived Caregiver Burden Scale. These assessments can help healthcare professionals better understand the emotional toll on a caregiver through responses to questions about how they are managing personal responsibilities and their level of exhaustion.

Support Systems and Interventions

Even a small break from responsibilities can help an overburdened caregiver. Respite care, which allows a family member to take leave ranging from a few hours to several weeks, provides in-home services to an injured worker. If available, services can also be provided through adult day centers or assisted living facilities. Respite care can prevent caregiver burnout, reduce stress, and support overall well-being.

Social supports, whether personal or through peer groups and networks, are often underutilized but can be highly impactful. Peer groups can also provide education and navigation support, particularly for family members who are new to caregiving responsibilities. While processes to identify and support caregivers are still evolving, someone who is intimately involved in a catastrophic claim, such as an assigned nurse case manager, can help an injured worker’s support structure navigate care and prepare for the long road ahead.