Caregrams Increase your self -esteem and improve your coping skills.

Preparation Think of several people who need encouragement or a kind word. Send them a caregram. It is also a good way to show your appreciation to someone.

Directions 1.Brighten someone's day with a caregram. Design your own or use a copy of the ones provided on the next page. 2.Personalize the caregram with a favorite cartoon,

poem, joke, quote or verse. You can also use markers to add some color or you can copy it onto colored paper. 3.Another way to spread some cheer is to decorate a shoebox or basket and leave a stack of caregrams for other people to fill out and disperse. You may want to make a sign to put next to the caregrams explaining how to use them. 4.You can deliver the caregrams for other people by providing a box with a slot on top for people to drop the completed caregrams. Then you get the joy of watching people receive their caregrams. This is especially fun in an occupational therapy department. Encourage others to recognize an achievement, lift someone's spirits or congratulate someone on going home.