It is common for us to care for those who are unable to care for themselves. Family members step up to care for loved ones. But who cares for the caregivers?
Caregivers, like my sister who’s caring for her elderly husband, are often on the verge of burnout. My sister’s husband cannot be left alone, can’t shower without help, needs assistance walking, and has become completely dependent on my sister. She refuses to seek help and feels that it is her duty to care for his every need. And she is paying the price with her own mental and physical health.
Minnesotans caring for loved ones living with health challenges will have no-cost access to world-class support groups, caregiver education, therapeutic treatments, processing tools and more thanks to a first-of-its-kind partnership announced recently by local health systems and nonprofit The Negative Space.
Through the partnership, clinics throughout the state and into Wisconsin are posting signage in waiting areas, infusion rooms and radiation suites that recognize the caregiver role and provides free and immediate access to tools and resources created by The Negative Space specifically for family caregivers.
To make access dramatically simpler for caregivers, The Negative Space has removed paywalls and sign-in barriers — offering its resources free of charge.
Participating hospital groups include Allina Health, HealthPartners and M Health Fairview. The initiative is being launched through events across the health systems, at which caregivers will be celebrated, will learn about the initiative, and will be given free “I’m Part of the Story” mugs and gifts.
Feb. 20 was National Caregiver Day, recognizing and honoring the family members, volunteers and professionals who play a vital role providing physical, emotional and daily support for patients in need.
“If your life is anything like mine, the appointments that fill your calendar are aimed at the needs of your loved one,” said Allison Breininger, founder and executive director of The Negative Space. “But their illness or injury has also had an unmeasurable impact on your life and wellbeing. Caregiver, I want you to know: you are part of the story and you, too, need and deserve support. Breininger founded The Negative Space when she noticed that, while the world was rallying around and providing support for her husband through a bone marrow transplant and multiple cancers, there was little recognition or support available for caregivers like her.
Difficult diagnoses and treatments impact every aspect of a caregiver’s life, but few services traditionally exist to provide caregivers with physical or emotional support. Caregiver needs have historically been ignored or downplayed.
“I am genuinely excited for Allina Health to partner with The Negative Space because their mission speaks directly to what guides us,” said Emily Zimmerman-Bartko BSN, PHN, RN, manager of Allina Health Cancer Institute. “At Allina Health, we’re called to care for the whole person, and that compassion doesn’t stop with the patient. Recognizing and uplifting caregivers, who quietly carry so much of the burden, is deeply aligned with who we are and who we strive to be.”
Said Caitlyn Squire, MSW, LICSW, manager of Patient Support and Education at HealthPartners Cancer Care: “Caregivers are essential in the journey of so many of our oncology patients, providing steadfast advocacy, care and compassion. Ensuring our caregivers also feel supported, valued and cared for is vital to delivering truly holistic, patient-centered care. It has been a true pleasure collaborating with The Negative Space to enhance the ways we support caregivers within HealthPartners Cancer Care.”
“The Negative Space is dedicated to providing caregivers with the support they both need and deserve,” said Breininger. “We’re excited to connect them with these resources because we recognize their value, their worth, and their often unmet needs.”
Caregivers everywhere can learn more and receive no-cost resources at TheNegativeSpace.life.
Resources include the “In Sickness” podcast, virtual support groups, and “The Storyline,” a growing library of tools created to help caregivers feel seen and supported through every chapter of their caregiving lives. Caregivers can find help when they feel lonely or worried about how to balance work responsibilities, are dealing with a new diagnosis or processing anticipatory grief, and much more. They can find tools centered around the current chapter of their life or around specific needs.
So, if you are a Caregiver suffering from overload or if you know of someone who is, please connect them with the help they need. Remember, it takes a village to care for our loved ones; do not think you have to do it all yourself.
