Empathy is essential in working with older people, but can so often be forgotten. Carers are time pressurised and often rushed, but understanding what struggles older people are going through can really help in providing calm and truly person centred care.
Alive is a charity based in the South West that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of older people. They provide activity and training to older people and carers which is both person centred and co-produced. Recently they have been supporting homes to improve their empathy and connections with those they work with. They are running training courses, using an empathy suit that is designed for carers to literally walk in the shoes of those they care for. The suit allows carers to change their approach, as they begin to truly understand how hard it is for older people to complete simple tasks, or understand what people are saying.
Lesley Hobbs, Deerhurst Care Home Manager, who undertook the Alive training said, “The suit is amazing and so insightful. The dementia empathy suit has weights around the ankles and knee pads to restrict the movement and speed of the wearer. There are tinted goggles that affect the wearer’s peripheral vision alongside the colours around them. The gloves that are worn are connected to a machine that makes hands shake, meaning control of movements and co-ordination were thrown out. You can wear headphones that play a continuous tinnitus sound, and the neck brace reduces the full and able movement of the neck. It was fascinating, and I believe all of our carers should experience the suit as part of an induction process.”
Not only are carers asked to put on the equipment, Alive’s trainer asks the attendees s to complete day to day tasks, such as putting on a shirt, drawing, walking down a corridor, eating and drinking, mirroring the challenges that older people face. Very often these are tasks that to everyone else appear simple and normal.
One carer said, “Standing up was an effort, walking was challenging, simple tasks proved difficult and emotions were running high. I felt frustrated and wanted to give up, especially whilst flicking through a newspaper. At times I felt sad and lost whilst other people communicated around me as I couldn’t hear what they were saying.”
Another care staff member said, “This is the best training I’ve ever had!”
Nicola, Alive’s training and delivery manager, said, “I think this training is so important for anybody working with older people in any context. It’s a real eye-opener, an emotional experience. It’s something that’s going to stay with me, personally, for a while.
If you are interested in Alive coming and training your staff, please contact us on: info@aliveactivities.org, call us on: 0117 377 4756 or visit: www.aliveactivities.org