C.A.R.E. Program and Family Caregivers

Family caregivers (FCs) are often forgotten patients. Oftentimes, FCs will experience role strain, especially when the patient has a chronic illness or an illness with sudden onset. As a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), I work on a unique inpatient service that focuses on providing patients holistic care and ensuring that patients have the support and resources needed while in the hospital and once they transition to the next phase of care. Our team aims to improve communication, decrease suffering, and increase patient satisfaction. My role as a CNS is to work at the patient and family level, treating both as one when developing plans of care. The plan of care reflects patient and FC treatment preferences, showing shared decision-making. I then work to assist both in reaching goals while integrating and maintaining family values. I assess the FC through active listening and provide necessary resources to the FC. Many times, FCs do not even know what resources are needed until someone asks them to tell their story. This chapter is about a FC’s story, a plan of care, and a resource I often collaborate with and refer my patients’ families to, the Caregiver Assistance Resources and Education Program (C.A.R.E. Program℠).