Caregiver Issues and Concerns Following TBI: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions

Survival following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has increased following advances in medical care. However, TBI survivors often experience significant deficits in cognitive function, psychological disturbance, and residual physical deficits. The caregivers for these survivors, who are often family members, may have limited capacity to provide the services and care that are required. Limitations in capacity may be attributable to poor preparation, increased burden, lack of appropriate resources, and lack of required support. Likewise, there are resultant consequences for the caregiver and the survivor. The purpose of this paper is to review issues associated with caregiver capacity including preparation, burden, burnout, and consequences. In the latter portion of the paper, assessment of caregiver readiness and understanding and intervention is described (as well as current limitations). The final portions of the paper describe future directions, the call for increased research, and medicolegal implications.