What Living as a Resident Can Teach Long-Term Care Staff: The Power of Empathy to Transform Care

Created by an administrator struggling to jump-start culture change in her care community, Through the Looking Glass is a unique program that changes staff attitudes and teaches the importance of person-centred care practices by placing staff directly in the shoes of residents—with remarkable results. What is it like to be unable to move without setting off a personal body alarm? How painful and lonely is it to sit in a wheelchair for hours on end? How does it feel to be incontinent in front of others? These are challenges that residents in long-term care can face on a daily basis. Even the most caring staff can fail to appreciate their effects. In this book, Leslie Pedtke introduces you to a program that builds staff empathy for residents’ experiences by having them simulate a diagnosis and live alongside residents. The lessons learned create more compassionate caregivers, improve care practices, and enhance well-being for both staff and residents. Learn how to set up this program in any residential care setting, as well as ways to address high turnover through the hiring and orientation process. Measurable benefits include:: Elimination of personal body alarms Decreased falls Reduced use of psychotropic drugs Improved resident health and well-being Increased staff retention and satisfaction Filled with compelling journal entries of real staff experiences, this inspiring, hopeful, and encouraging book will inspire you to achieve truly person-centered care. 2018 National Mature Media Award (Merit Award Winner)