Empathy in Care Professions

Picture that shows a photo of an old lady playing checkers with a nurse.

Hidden Heroes is a program inspired by Dialogue with Time for trainees in the field of geriatric care. Hidden Heroes addresses especially to those who are at the beginning of their careers. Through this program trainees are approached in order to recognize the enormous importance of their professions. This further strengthens their motivation.

Hidden Heroes can also be used to reach young people who are in the process of making a career choice. Participants experience various dimensions of age and have the opportunity to try out themselves.

Hidden Heroes has three main objectives:

1. DIVERSITY - AGE HAS MULTIPLE FACETS
Developing greater awareness about the relativity and diversity of aging. Evolving consciousness about the personal approach how to cope with aging and life in future. Identification and breaking of stereotypes resulting in a changed perspective regarding “the old ones”.

2. EMPATHY - SNEAKING INTO THE OTHER'S SHOES
Developing open-mindedness and empathy regarding limitations of old age and learning how to cope with it. Reflecting on the attitudes and behavior that may help to communicate and interact with limitations caused by aging.

3. DEVELOPING A POSITIVE GERIATRIC NURSE IDENTITY
Raising awareness about the consequence of the demographic change and the understanding of the high demands for geriatric nurses. Reflecting the strains and stress factors of geriatric nurses in the present and future.