40: Empathy in Aged Care – Rebecca Burns

Aged care workers are empathic by nature. ACH wanted to provide their workers with an even deeper insight into customer needs through simulating the lived experience of an older person. Wearing suits designed by Sydney University, participants carry out daily activities that allow them to experience a range of conditions including vision impairment, hearing loss, a hunched posture, reduced tactile sense and shortened gait. Empathy suits are a tool that helps their workforce build empathy, challenge stereotypes, respect uniqueness and individual identity, raise awareness of potential limitations in the environment and communicate effectively with customers.