【Introduction】

Taiwan has officially come to an aging society since 2018 with people over 65 years old breaking 14% mark; furthermore, over 16% was noted in our county. The senior citizens account for a high percentage of medical care person-time and error events reported, which means they require more attention from healthcare professionals. How do we facilitate empathic understanding when the elderly come to us? We invite newcomers to our hospital to experience the daily activities of the elderly and look forward to improving patient care.

【Methods】

We set up a situation of what difficulties would occur when seniors attend medical services with an aging simulation suit, which causes age-related impairments such as limitations of vision, movement, hearing, fine dexterity, the balance of the participants. Before and after the activity, they would be requested to fill out an assessment questionnaire. We analyze the differences between pre- and post-experience and the reflections also.

【Results】

We collect data from 60 participants during Jun-Dec in 2019. The T-test result shows that there is a significant difference in the scores of the questionnaire between pre- and post-experience. The reflections also indicate that the aging simulation is helpful for the awareness of the elderly’s physical difficulties, and most of the participants consider themselves would show more empathy and patience afterward.

【Conclusion】

It’s inevitable for us to feel impatient when someone causes us inconvenience. However, if we experience and learn why and how it happens, we could probably relieve the annoying. According to the outcome, we believe aging simulation activity works that way. We also believe it will bring more comfortable experiences for the elderly.