The Effects of Simulation-Based Empathy Enhancement Program for Carer of the Elderly on Counselling

Abstract

Empathy of the caregiver can influence both the caregiver’s performance and the receiver’s enhanced life. The aim of this study is to examine whether Simulation-based Empathy Enhancement program for the Carer of the Elderly (SEE-C) is effective in increasing care receivers’ session satisfaction and positive emotional change. We developed SEE-C by modifying the Dementia Live(TM) program and adding with a brief mindfulness. The effect on counselling was assessed using the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ), which is self-report tool asking the client about their experience with the session just ended. A total of 100 older adults living alone were interviewed by caregivers who experienced SEE-C (n=12) and by non-experienced (n=12). Participants in this study were randomly assigned to each of the two caregiver groups, and were interviewed about demographics, health and emotional status, and lifestyle using the same protocols. Analysis of covariance was conducted, controlling variables of age of subjects and caregivers’ months of career, which were found to differ significantly between the two groups. Among the four subcategories of SEQ, the experimental group reported significantly higher scores than the control group in three subcategories of session-depth (F(1, 96)=9.647, P=.002), session-smoothness (F(1, 96)=13.699, p<.001), emotion-positive (F(1, 96)=18.056, p<.001), with the exception of emotion-alertness (F(1, 96)=0.366, p=.546). These results suggest that SEE-C could have a positive impact on interviewing the elderly in terms of improving the capacity of the interviewer and raising the satisfaction of the interviewee.

A Simulation-Based Empathy Enhancement Program for Non-Medical Care Providers of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…Improved care approaches (e.g., verbal and nonverbal communication strategies) in addition to improved empathy were reported by the care providers in the simulation program. In a follow-up study of the authors, older adults living alone (n=100) expressed significantly higher levels of satisfaction and improved emotions when the older adults were interviewed about health, emotional status, and lifestyle using the same protocols by care providers who received the simulation-based program compared to those who did not receive the simulation-based program [ 36 ]. Such findings support findings of the present study, indicating the simulation-based program increased care providers’ ability to communicate empathic understanding toward older adults.…”