.png?width=1200&height=628&name=How%20do%20you%20ensure%20they%20have%20the%20knowledge%2c%20skills%2c%20and%20resources%20to%20provide%20safe%20and%20effective%20cares%20(2).png)
.png?width=1200&height=628&name=Strategies%20for%20counseling%20patients%20on%20non-indicated%20test%20requests%20(2).png)
Question of the week
Supporting family members who step into caregiving roles has become an essential but increasingly complex part of clinical practice.
As more care shifts into the home, clinicians are thinking carefully about how to provide effective family caregiver support—from ensuring caregivers understand the patient’s condition to making sure they have the resources and confidence to deliver effective care.
In this month’s discussion, clinicians across specialties shared how they approach caregiver preparation, the tools and teams they rely on, and the strategies that help families feel informed, supported, and ready for the responsibilities ahead.
How do you prepare a patient's family member to become their caregiver? Log in or sign up to read the full post, share your experience, and see the Consensus.
Question of the week
How do you ensure family members have the knowledge, skills, and resources to provide safe and effective care?
Comments
Key takeaways about preparing family members to be caregivers:
- Caregiver preparation requires a team-based approach
Clinicians rely heavily on Social Work, Case Management, visiting nurses, and allied health professionals to train and support family caregivers. - Clear, hands-on education is critical
Providers emphasize plain‑language explanations, medication reviews, demonstrations, written instructions, and observing caregivers perform tasks, either in the clinic or at home, to confirm understanding and reinforce safety. - Support must be tailored to each caregiver’s ability and situation
Clinicians assess the caregiver’s capacity, limitations, and environment, while offering emotional support, connecting them to community services and ensuring they know where to turn for help.
Nurse Practitioner
"Coming from the perspective of a palliative care/onc provider, I consult Social Work and Case Management. I set expectations with the patient's family and the patient, making sure they understand what will be required of all involved in the home care."
Rheumatology
"I will have that family member meet with a social worker and arrange for a meeting or two with an LNA/CNA to be shown how to physically take care of the ill family member in terms of their physical needs, medication taking."
Family Practice
"Depending on the type of care needed, a visiting nurse would be the first one to see the patient, and then they can determine if a social worker is needed, if physical therapy or occupational therapy is needed, and any supplies. They are equipped to go over medication and how to test if one has diabetes, and how to manage lung disease."
Family Practice
"I make sure that I discuss the patient's condition in detail with the caregiver and give them the opportunity to ask questions. Also, I always go over the patient's meds and doses at each and every visit and provide the caregiver a printout of such. I refer them to community services, and can also refer to home health if appropriate."
Anesthesia/Pain
"I listen to their concerns, look them in the eye, and get my fingers and my eyes off the keyboard. Connecting them with proper resources such as social services, home health services, and many others. This is not a skill set. I have myself, but I know how to refer people out to competent Individuals and agencies. Then I have my office follow up with them to make sure they have not only spoken with these individuals, but also repeat back to my office staff what was told to them and their understanding. Then we follow up with the consulted professional to make sure everyone’s aligned."
Allergy/Immunology
"Define the disease in plain terms that they can understand. I tell them to seek out non-medical support, e.g. clergy, if it fits their belief systems. I make sure they know the risks involved and tell them beforehand how to minimize potential problems. I also verify all the emergency numbers they could need. It's important to make sure they know you care."
Pediatrics
"It certainly depends on the age, availability, cognition, and ability of the caregiver - and who they are caring for. Generally, a child is going to be easier to care for than a spouse, depending on the level of care needed. Sitting with family and having an open discussion is the best way to go about it - find out their needs and concerns."
Oncology/Hematology
"Extensive teaching and support tailored to the tasks required. The caregiver should observe and perform techniques in the office before discharge. Ensure proper form and sterility, if indicated. Written or video instructions should be provided for reference. There must be an adequate supply of anything needed, including logs for recording.
Most importantly, there should be someone who observes the caregiver in the home environment at least once, even if just by video, to check the environment, med storage, etc. There must be 24/7 telephone support in case of questions."
Family Practice
"Our practice has a chronic care manager that we hook the family up to help set them up for success. Our local visiting nurses are pretty good at teaching families what they need to know to help keep their family member safe and as healthy as possible. We can also send our physician assistants to do home visits for appropriate patients."
Family Practice
"This is a very tough and ongoing problem and is bound to get worse. With the shortages in our healthcare system, there is going to be little or no help for families trying to assist in the care of aging and chronically ill loved ones. The patient's family should be referred to a local center for aging. These facilities generally have volunteers to help with respite care and driving, in addition to social workers who can make available to the family."
What resources do you suggest to family members when they take on a caregiver role? Share your perspective and read all of the comments on the post on Healthcasts.
