Staff Training Workshop
Empathy and Understanding: Learning to Walk in the Shoes of the Victim
In our ongoing fight to contain and mitigate the explosive growth of financial scams and fraud, experts have pointed to education as today’s best preventative resource. While training sessions used by financial services providers, chat groups hosted at senior homes, community forums presented to older adults, and the news media’s current expanded coverage of scams primarily focus on education – the knowledge of scams, how to best respond, and how to prevent becoming a victim - more is required! By remaining committed to current educational assets while watching financial losses to scams continuing to skyrocket across all age groups, we can only expect to see no change in our ability to mitigate losses to scams.
Bring in New Reinforcements
Therefore, if we are to gain the upper hand, we need to consider tapping new resources and tools, many of which are already beginning to make an appearance in the marketplace. Apps like Carefull that monitor and safeguard financial accounts, and programs like Gentreo, allowing consumers to easily complete legal documents such as wills and power of attorney can further solidify a person’s financial firewall.
In addition, the scope of our education needs to also include training in developing and enhancing one’s personal skills of showing empathy and understanding to those who have been victimized by a scam con artist. Learning how to step into the shoes of a victim, to feel their anxieties, identify with their embarrassment, and experience the absolute fright of facing a financial future after losing the security of a life’s savings, will not only help a caregiver bond with a victim but also enhance the ability to persuade those victims unwilling to see the manipulation, realize that they’re caught up in a scam.
Workshop Presentation
Empathy and Understanding: Learning to Walk in the Shoes of the Victim is designed to help staff step into the shoes of an older adult member/customer who is being manipulated by a scammer or who has lost substantial savings in a scam. The workshop includes a mix of presentations and group exercises, during which attendees are challenged to focus on active listening skills; learn to understand the science of empathy on health, leadership, and conflict resolution; identify the many impediments to empathy; and develop a greater appreciation for empathy in fostering positive relationships.
For optimal results, the workshop is best conducted in person over the course of 2.5 to 3 hours in duration. For more information or to schedule a session, email Walt@LaskosCommunications.com.
