Transcript
Create your own Empathy Equipment Introduction This document explains how you can put together your own set of ‘old age’ empathy equipment which can then be used in training sessions. Vision-impairing goggles Start with a standard pair of eye protector goggles/glasses, available from any hardware store. Modify the goggles to represent two common sight impairments:
Glaucoma: using a glue stick, cover the surface of the goggles with glue, leaving a small clear area in the centre. Allow the glue to dry and harden – ensure good, thick coverage. Macular Degeneration: using a glue stick, cover a large area in the centre of the goggles with glue, leaving a clear area around the outside of the lenses. Diabetic Retinopathy: using correction fluid, paint out areas of the goggles which then become opaque.
Ear plugs These simulate loss of hearing – simply buy a set of ‘squashable’, inear earplugs in any chemist.
Beans and popcorn To mimic arthritis and discomfort when walking, partially fill a small, re-sealable plastic bag with a few peppercorns, popcorn kernels, dried kidney beans, etc.
Ankle weights These can be worn to give the user a sense of the loss of muscle strength associated with old age. They are particularly good when used together with the peppercorn/popcorn bags. Obtain ankle weights from any sports shop.
MP3 player By listening to an MP3 player playing a recording of ‘white noise’ the user can experience how someone with tinnitus (‘ringing in the ears’) hears the world. Various MP3 recordings are available to download from www.fote.org.uk/resources/empathy-aids . The recording should be set to play in ‘continuous loop’. Page | 1
Gloves Available from any hardware store or garden centre, a pair of heavy protective gloves can simulate the loss of dexterity and movement experienced by many older people.
Small text As we get older, it is more likely that we might be on some form of regular medication. An example of text printed in a very small type-size (available to download from www.fote.org.uk/resources/empathy-aids), or an empty medicine bottle, can be used in conjunction with the vision-impairing goggles to demonstrate the visual difficulties experienced by older people.
Training exercises and instructions Download our instruction leaflet for examples of training exercises. Available from www.fote.org.uk/resources/empathy-aids .
Page | 2
