When we think of older people, we often imagine frailty, illness and the inevitable decline of bodily function that comes with age. Unfortunately, this limited perception of what it’s like to be older prevents us from truly empathizing with them and leads us to treat them differently than we would younger adults. This perception of aging makes us ignore their unique needs as human beings and limits our ability to help them effectively, either at home or in care facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Meet here agesuit

Introduction


In nursing, empathy is an important quality to possess. When it comes to caring for elderly patients, empathy can make a world of difference. It is difficult to understand what it’s like to experience life as an elderly person when you are in your 20s or 30s. But imagine what it would be like if you were able to don an age suit that allows you experience aging firsthand. That is exactly what we did with our nursing staff!

What Is an Age Suit?


An age suit, also called an elder suit or a geriatric suit, is a garment that simulates aging. The suits can make it seem like the wearer has aged 10 years in just a few minutes, and they have been used to help medical students understand what it might be like to live as an elderly person.

The Benefits of Age Simulation


It is a well-known fact that empathy training for nursing staff is integral to providing better care. One of the ways we have been conducting empathy training is by using age suits in such courses (seminars, workshops). With an age suit, the participants get an insight into the living environment of older people. There are many benefits to these simulations including improved patient satisfaction and increased understanding of what it means to be elderly.

How to Use Age Simulation in Nursing


Nursing staff can learn a lot about caregiving by trying out an age suit. This type of empathy training is useful in understanding what it’s like to be old and experiencing aging-related changes. The suit gives you a new perspective and helps you develop an appreciation for all that older people experience in their day-to-day lives.

Conclusion


In conclusion, we hope to see more empathy training that includes age simulation. This will give nursing staff a new perspective on aging and encourage them to care for their elderly patients better.