The Empathy Exchange: Empathy Exchange in Action

Welcome to the first episode of The Empathy Exchange.

In this episode, I open up about my own experience working in seniors’ care and becoming a residents’ family member three times, with my dad, husband and mom, and how those journeys inspired me to shift out of my decades-long corporate career to a mission-driven focus to help strengthen the staff and family dynamic in seniors’ care.

Listen in as I share why I chose The Empathy Exchange as the title and platform to explore the essential relationship between seniors’ care providers and residents’ family members, and how they have more in common than we may realize.

You’ll hear a couple of stories that bring to life the Empathy Exchange between care team members and families, helping to bridge gaps and foster understanding, all to achieve the shared purpose of providing the best possible quality of life and care for the resident/loved one.

As we wrap up this first episode, please join The Empathy Exchange community as a listener of this podcast by subscribing and sharing with colleagues and families. 

You can find out more about me and the work I do at DeborahBakti.com, or email me at [e-mail]

What is The Relational Approach: In Seniors' Care?

Let’s face it – Senior's Care is a complex business that provides a much-needed service to residents and families during a tough chapter in their lives. The beginning of this key relationship can be filled with anxiety, stress and worry and yet, there is a better way to bring residents, families and staff together.

Staff and leadership of Senior Care Facilities need an incredible amount of support when it comes to managing residents/seniors and their family relationships. This podcast will provide a framework and open up discussions around The Relational Approach™.

The Relational Approach™ System is a practical and easy-to-use framework for leaders and staff in Senior Care Homes to build stronger connections with families. It’s based on three guiding principles that focus on trust, respect, and working together as partners in care. The system also helps raise awareness of six common relational roadblocks that can cause tension. Once these roadblocks are identified, simple strategies can be used to close the gaps.

This process guides staff from learning and understanding to fully integrating and transforming their relationships with families. As a result, it reduces friction, frustration, and stress, allowing teams to avoid problems before they escalate. The goal is to move away from a transactional approach and create a more relational, empathetic, and human connection between staff and families.

Join host Deborah Bakti – a former executive in seniors care for 11 years, and a family member three times over, with her dad, mom, and husband all having lived as residents. She’s seen what it’s like on both sides.

In each episode, we'll explore both the family and staff perspectives, shedding light on the emotions, expectations, and sometimes the disappointments that arise from the friction in these relationships. Through heartfelt conversations, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the diverse perspectives that shape senior care environments.

Tune in to gain valuable insights, and cultivate a better approach. Together, let's create a community where understanding thrives and where the journey of aging is met with compassion and empathy.