Through their eyes: Empathetic learning for frontline healthcare providers to improve care for the patient living with dementia.

Abstract

Evoking emphatic care and committing to an elder-friendly environment for older adults living with dementia is a focus at many Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) member organizations. Improved dementia knowledge and skills for treating older adults optimize clinical outcomes and patient and family satisfaction. The dementia protocol utilized in NICHE organizations recommends providing a safe therapeutic environment and caregiver education and support.² The Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT^®), an evidence-based simulation experience, is one of the methods NICHE organizations, such as St. Joseph's Health, implement to enhance clinician and staff knowledge, empathy, and confidence in caring for this population.