Introducing the Empathy Suit – a suit made up of 13 components which work to inhibit mobility, motor skills, vision and hearing.

Giving the wearer a unique sense of how it may feel to be an older person living with dementia, the Empathy Suit literally puts attendees “in the shoes” of the people they support.

Attendees take it in turns to try on the suit and are set simple tasks such as moving objects on a table, walking, and reading. The impact is phenomenal.

Attendees told us that wearing the Empathy Suit made them feel disorientated, heavy, and confused. “It has really shown me how to change my approach, give our residents more time, and understanding how fearful they must feel” one attendee shared. Others describe these workshops as “very powerful” and “mandatory”.

Watch an introduction to the Empathy Suit Experience:

For Anyone Working With Older People

For Care Home Activity Staff, the Empathy Suit Experience can be booked as a Half Day Training course for £300 which is suitable for a maximum of six people (Care Home Activity Staff only). Or, as a Full Day Training course for £600, broken up into two-hour slots with groups of four. 

We also offer a person-centred bespoke course for £800 with prior consultation to make it specific to your organisation. Ideal for anybody working with older people, and those living with dementia, including: Academia, Healthcare Sector, Public Services, Retail and more.

In March 2024, we teamed up with Alzheimer’s Society and Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service to share the Empathy Suit Experience with the England Men’s National Football Team to raise awareness of what it may be like to be living with dementia and older age. Watch the film below:

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, attendees will:  

  • Have a deeper understanding of dementia and age related physical impairment
  • Understand every day challenges for people living with dementia
  • Develop communication skills 
  • Understand dementia and environmental challenges 
  • Have an experiential understanding of the need for empathy for the people you support 
  • Be able to reflect and incorporate this into best practice in your care setting or workplace

For more information, to discuss bespoke options, or to book training, please email us at info@aliveactivities.org or call the office on 07861 385 543.