The Impact of Empathy Training: Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing Reflects on Embodied Labs Partnership

Imagine you can spend a day in the life of a person with dementia, seeing the world and their day-to-day life through their eyes. Not only would this be a powerful empathy tool but it is also a crucial step in preparing care workers to assist someone living in a similar situation. Embodied Labs, a virtual reality training platform, offers just such an opportunity. Through virtual reality technology, Embodied Labs provides care workers, family members and healthcare staff with training where they can step into the lived experience of someone living with a particular health condition, such as dementia or sensory changes, opening up their understanding of how to meet that person where they are.

As part of the CalGrows program, which incentivized care workers to participate in training and in-person classes that improve caregiving skills and knowledge, the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing (FPCIW) partnered with Embodied Labs to share their training across the state. After 15 months and nearly one hundred trainings, the FPCIW team is proud to reflect on the experience and all that they learned.

Introduction

If you’ve had the chance to experience Embodied Labs’ immersive training, you know how transformative it can be. That’s why it’s exciting to reflect on the many people across California who’ve benefitted from this learning experience through the CalGrows grant, in which the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing (FPCIW) has proudly participated. As we reflect upon this impactful project, let’s take a moment to celebrate some key milestones and the meaningful changes that have come from our efforts.

Reaching New Heights: Training Achievements

FPCIW set a goal to train 500 direct care workers, but we exceeded expectations by training 966 team members in various modules, including Actionable Empathy in Dementia: Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and Customer Service. This achievement reflects our commitment to enhancing caregiving skills and deepening empathy among staff.

In a survey conducted in late 2023, nearly all learners reported feeling more empathy for residents after completing the training. This outcome highlights the power of experiential learning in transforming perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by older adults.

We hosted live training sessions for 150 residents, led by FPCIW’s team members. Many others participated online as independent learners through the Front Porch training portal, expanding the reach of the program to nearly 400 residents.

Empowering Family and Friend Caregivers

Through FPCIW’s outreach efforts, over 10,200 “Family and Friend Caregivers” received training opportunities. We extended our impact to participants from organizations such as AlzSD, the Keiro Caregiver Conference, San Diego Oasis, Los Angeles Alliance for Community Health & Aging, Saint Barnabas Senior Services, Area Agency on Aging Volunteer Ombudsmen, Serving Seniors, Well Connected and San Diego Elder Help.

Fostering Intergenerational Learning: Educational Partnerships

The CalGrows grant also extended to educational institutions such as USC, USF, UCSF, LBSU, SDSU,  CSUSM Samuel Merritt College, Mira Costa College, Dominican University of California, and West Coast University School of Occupational Therapy. This initiative not only increased students’ understanding of aging but also fostered interest in Front Porch Communities, creating pathways for future internships and potential recruits.

Bringing Training to Front Porch Communities

FPCIW made visits to 16 Front Porch communities—some more than once—to conduct personalized one-on-one VR sessions and group training for teams and residents. We also participated in all-staff meetings, barbeques, and a health fair, experiencing the warmth and hospitality of each community. These visits allowed us to connect deeply with team members and residents, and the training sessions became valuable opportunities to enhance relationships and share knowledge.

Reaching Beyond the Numbers: Building Empathy and Understanding

The impact of this project goes beyond statistics. After each immersive learning experience, participants engaged in meaningful discussions that revealed shared values and practical takeaways. Here are a few key themes that emerged from our training sessions:

• Extending Kindness in Challenging Moments: Learners reflected on the importance of showing kindness to residents, especially when they appeared agitated or distressed.
• Awareness of Tone and Presence: Many participants shared how they became more conscious of their tone of voice and body language, even during busy times.
• Walking Alongside Residents: The training emphasized the power of simply walking alongside residents, both literally and metaphorically, to foster connection and trust.
• Offering Choices to Calm Situations: We saw a heightened awareness of how offering residents choices could help calm challenging situations and empower them.

The discussions often led to empathetic insights about the challenges that families face and the small joys that can make a big difference—like sharing an ice cream cone with a resident.

Strengthening Community Bonds Through Shared Experiences

The training sessions not only provided valuable knowledge but also brought people closer together. Participants courageously shared personal experiences, enriching the sessions with stories of moments shared with residents and families. As a result, we strengthened bonds within our communities, and FPCIW’s geographically dispersed team had a unique opportunity to collaborate and share their contributions and strengths.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Partners

Our experience with the CalGrows grant and Embodied Labs training has been incredibly rewarding, and we couldn’t have achieved this success without the support of our partners and participants. A big thank you to everyone who took part in this project and made the most of the training opportunities. We encourage you to share your experiences or any comments you may have. We’d love to hear from you!

Looking Ahead

With the momentum gained from the CalGrows project, FPCIW remains committed to advancing empathy and enhancing the quality of care across our communities. Together, we are not just training individuals; we are cultivating a culture of understanding, compassion, and meaningful connection that will continue to thrive long after the project concludes.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible opportunity!

– The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing team