Empathy Education Classes at Park Springs

Empathy is the ability to share and understand another’s emotions and feelings. It’s a lot like that saying, put yourself in someone else’s shoes, a task that is easier said than done. Which is why the empathy training session for non-clinical employees that is being held this Friday, July 10that 10 a.m. at Park Springs in Stone Mountain is so beneficial.

Park Springs, developed by Isakson Living, is the southeast’s premier Continuing Care Retirement Community. Residents live in private homes and enjoy a resort inspired lifestyle with a large fitness center and award winning club house.

Vice President of Quality, Innovation and Culture for Isakson Living, Joan Carlson, described the empathy training session as an opportunity for people to experience the difficulty of doing normal every day activities with limitations that are common for the elderly. The program provides information about disease and how some residents living in the active adult community have to cope with handicaps or illnesses beyond their control.

Attendees will experience what it actually feels like to have handicaps such as tunnel vision, muscular degeneration and paralysis due to a stroke. For example, in order to simulate a serious foot problem, employees will be asked to walk with popcorn in their shoes. Also, employees might have to walk around with Vaseline on their glasses in order to experience the life of someone with glaucoma.

“I think this will be an eye opening experience for our non-clinical employees,” said Andy Isakson, Isakson Living managing partner. Isakson also felt sure that the insight the training program provides will definitely improve the level of empathy their employees have for Park Springs Members.