Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Supporting Families of Healthcare
Workers Exposed to COVID-19
when members of the family have
U.S. healthcare workers,
Contact with COVID-19 patients, media reports
preexisting or compromising
including clinicians as well
medical conditions. Childrenas custodial, laboratory, foodquestioning the availability of PPE, and news
who do not understand whatservices, transport, and otherstoriesofhealthcareworkers
becomingillwithis happening may become
hospital staff, are on the front
frightened and need greaterlines of caring for the surge
COVID-19, understandably increase concerns ofreassurance from parents.
of COVID-19 patients acrosshealthcare workers about contracting the virus
Whether due to long work hours
the country. Contact withor spreading it among family members.
or infection control precautions,
COVID-19 patients, media reports
healthcare workers may bequestioning the availability ofseparated from their families,
personal protective equipment,
which can add to family distress due to physical separations
and news stories of healthcare workers becoming ill
or infrequent communication. Below are several strategies
with COVID-19, understandably increase concerns ofhealthcare workers about contracting the virus or spreading to help families.
it among family members. This may be especially true
Family Distress■ Remember that distress is an understandable feeling insuch circumstances.
■ Employ calming strategies and maintain familyroutines.
■ Ensure there is time for rest and “stepping away” whenpossible in order to “recharge”.
■ Remember that even if stressful, the situation istemporary.
■ Highlight those things you have control over in your life
where you can make a positive difference.
x Take care of your health by keeping regular bedtime
hours and eating well.
x Ensure your physical resilience by avoiding
excessive alcohol, and by not smoking or vaping.
Helping Families Feel Safe
■ Families of healthcare workers may be given conflicting
or unclear information about the best ways to avoid
COVID-19 infection. Information provided by reliable
sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)or the World Health Organization (WHO) are mostuseful.

■ Worry less about being perfect in your actions, andmanage as best you can considering the circumstances,
your resources, and available information.
■ Specific rules and guidance may not be provided
for every situation. Nevertheless, it can be helpful todevelop your own family “rules” and procedures that
help families feel safe in managing exposures.
x Ensure you cover the basics. Maintain proper
hygiene practices (e.g., regularly washing hands,
covering when coughing and sneezing, avoiding
contact with your face, cleaning commonly touchedsurfaces and door knobs).
x You may choose or be guided to take additional
precautions (e.g., removing work clothes at thedoor, showering before engaging family members).
x Promote these practices in an effective manner forchildren (e.g., singing songs, creating games).
■ Work together (include family members and employers)
to decide best living arrangements (e.g., separatebedrooms or temporarily living away) to support familysafety.
Continued

Family Separations and Long Work Hours■ Remind all family members that the healthcare worker
is involved in a critical “mission”, similar to a military
deployment, which can help put the worker’s andfamily’s roles in context.
■ Be proud of your family member’s role in taking careof COVID-19 patients during this outbreak. This pride
creates a sense of meaning and purpose among family
members.
■ Maintain telephonic or online communication whenpossible, but understand their time may be limited.
■ Remember that healthcare workers may separate fromthe family in order to ensure everyone’s well-being, but
it will only be temporary.
■ Work together within the family to deal with dailychallenges and overcome larger difficulties, building asense of family purpose.
■ Take advantage of assistance that is offered fromneighbors, friends, and extended family — you arestrong, but you don’t have to go it alone.

Children■ Help children understand what is happening within
their family.
■ Remind children that their family healthcare worker isproperly trained for this situation. They know what to
do to treat COVID-19 patients and to ensure their own
safety and the safety of their family.
■ Give children a sense of purpose by providingopportunities “to contribute” within the home (i.e.,helping with food preparation, cleaning the dishes,completing other family chores).
For specific information about communicating withchildren about COVID-19 see Additional Resources listed
at the end of this fact sheet.
Additional Resources
Discussing Coronavirus with Your Children fact sheet
https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_FS_Discussing_Coronavirus_w_Your_Children.pdf
Finding the Right Words to Talk with Children and Teens
about Coronavirus fact sheet
https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/
CSTS_FS_Finding_Right_Words_Talk_Children_Teens_Coronavirus.pdf

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org