Dementia currently affects over 850,000 individuals across the UK. Providing appropriate care and support for those living with dementia poses immense challenges for professional and family caregivers alike. A groundbreaking new tool called an “empathy suit” allows caregivers to directly experience some of the physical and sensory impairments associated with dementia. Understanding these challenges firsthand cultivates deeper empathy and positively impacts the dementia care provided.
An empathy suit consists of a kit of items worn by caregivers to simulate common symptoms of dementia in an immersive way. Components may include:
? Goggles, glasses or lenses to obscure and distort vision
? Headphones playing confusing background noise or multiple conversations
? Thick gloves reducing hand and finger dexterity
? Weights and resistance bands restricting movement and flexibility
? Vests, belts or wrist weights creating heaviness and lethargy
By inhibiting sight, sound, touch and mobility in this controlled manner, the empathy suit allows caregivers to temporarily embody some of the frustration and confusion felt by those living with dementia.
Pioneering Empathy Suit Program at Deerhurst Care Home
Deerhurst Care Home in Bristol launched an innovative staff training program using a state-of-the-art empathy suit. Over 100 employees, from senior staff to kitchen assistants, each spent time experiencing the suit while attempting common daily activities like getting dressed, preparing food and having a conversation.
Team members described intense feelings of disorientation, isolation and failure at tasks usually performed with ease. But after the suit was removed, perspective and understanding dawned. The exercise built profound empathy about the hidden struggles facing residents with dementia.
Extending Empathy Training to Families and Other Care Settings
Given the immense positive impact on care practices, Deerhurst Care Home now offers empathy suit sessions to family members of residents. By temporarily placing relatives and friends in their loved one’s shoes, the home hopes to encourage patience and validate the distress residents often feel.
Regional dementia support charities have also expressed interest in utilising empathy suit training for volunteers and community caregivers. As more individuals gain firsthand experience with dementia’s daily frustrations, a ripple effect of compassion and improved care is expected.
Benefits for Those Living with Dementia
Enhanced understanding of dementia’s disorienting symptoms will directly translate to improved care strategies from both family caregivers and professional staff. Key benefits include:
? Patience – Caregivers learn not rush residents struggling with tasks or communication. More time is allowed for responses.
? Empathy – Challenging behaviours seem less personal when caregivers grasp the fear and confusion driving them. More supportive responses are employed.
? Connection – Relating to the isolation residents often feel encourages more warm, compassionate social engagement from caregivers.
? Innovation – Imagining daily difficulties spurs creative solutions like using visual cues, simplifying instructions, introducing sensory stimulation objects and more.
? Dignity – Respect grows when capabilities beneath the dementia are recognized. Identity beyond disease is honoured.
Where to Access Empathy Suit Training
If you are interested in undergoing empathy suit training as a professional caregiver, family member or community volunteer, contact your local dementia services. Organisations likeAlzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK may be able to connect you with upcoming programs.
You can also enquire at specialist dementia care homes. Our person-centred approach to promoting dignity and quality of life for those with dementia can be further enhanced through empathy suit training.
Innovation Powering Care Technology
Programmes utilising innovative empathy suits to simulate dementia’s daily challenges have enormous potential to transform care. By fundamentally enhancing empathy among both family and professional carers, improved understanding of symptoms can directly inform more compassionate, dignified and person-centred care strategies for those living with dementia.
