Seven tips for effective caregiving Seven tips for effective caregiving (September 10, 2004)

These habits can provide help to family caregivers, especially those who are struggling with back-to-school stresses, too.

1. Be proactive. Don't just react to the stress of juggling a child's schedule and caring for your elderly loved one. Think and plan ahead to be prepared for this time.

2. Begin with the end in mind. If family is what is most important to you and part of your mission in life, contribute your time, energy and talents to that end.

3. Put first things first. Plan weekly and daily as a family and individually so you're focused and prepared to meet goals, appointments and obligations. Keep all this information in one planning tool that's always with you.

4. Think win-win. Approach the idea of caring for youngsters and elderly parents, and balancing school and work with a win-win attitude. An everyone-can-win mentality can help you create an atmosphere that makes all family members feel loved and important. Meet together to establish parameters (everyone's roles and responsibilities) upfront so everyone feels good about the care situation.

5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Listen empathetically with your ears and your heart to children and parents when concerns arise and relationships may be strained. Try to understand exactly why Grandma is crabby. Perhaps it's because she's losing her independence or she's not feeling well.

6. Synergize. Brainstorm to solve problems so that everyone feels a part of the solution. An older child might read to Grandma while Mom fixes dinner. Or Grandpa could help a youngster with homework. There are many ways to utilize our differences for the good of everyone.

7. Strike a balance. Strive to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy. To do that, a family caregiver must take care of himself or herself. Make sure your own glass is filled and there's balance in all areas of your life so that you can renew yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and keep on giving.

-- Stephen Covey and Home Instead Senior Care

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