Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Compassion in practice document summary
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Compassion is often misinterpreted with that of empathy and altruism. But both terms are associated to compassion. Empathy is the ability to sense and help us understand the perspective, person 's needs, and intentions of others. Thus, you place yourself in their shoes and feel what they are feeling. On the other hand, altruism is defined as acting out of concern for the well-being of others, without regard to your own self-interest. Compassion often does, of course, involve an empathic response and an altruistic behavior. Thus compassion is defined as the emotional response when recognizing suffering and involves a genuine desire to help. In one study, researchers found that peoples’ sense of compassion in fact increases when there is a common connection with the other person. If money doesn 't buy happiness, then according to some studies, it doesn 't buy compassion, either. Compassion is not intellectual and more than a feeling; it 's a way of life. When we are compassionate, we are rewarded twice. Although compassion is rightly thought of as a noble virtue, it is part of our nature. We are naturally …show more content…
To show compassionate to someone’s family or the elderly, one must have to take their own needs out of the equation. Put the focus and energy on families and elderlies, be selfless, and prevent any distractions or personal goals as long as you are committed to their needs. The only way people who are younger can offer an easy passage for the old is to show love, compassion, kindness and accept the fact that ageing brings with it unimaginable fears. As our parents’ journey through life continues, they become more needy and often ask more of their adult children. If time and health allow, adult children caring for their older loved-ones could find themselves in the same place as their parents one day. Empathy and compassion go a long way; and remember not to take the time that you have left together for
In our world, I see many people that lack the ability to show compassion. They can be so selfish when they should be more selfless. Even I admit it, I am selfish sometimes and don't help others when they may need it. For this reason, I believe that compassion should be a human right. Many people will see a person or an animal in distress and think, “I don't need to help them; some other generous person will.” But in most cases, nobody ends up helping the distressed person or animal because every person thinks “it’s not their job to help” or “somebody else will do it.” I believe a right of compassion will make it human nature to help others without second
The book is an exceptional reference for any individual who care for the elderly; it provides insight on how to arran...
Compassion, also known as “The Golden Rule," is what brings every human being together. Compassion makes it possible to feel other humans sufferings not just our own or of our concern. It 's about putting yourself in someone else 's shoes and walking around in
About the compassion history, self-compassion has been discussed in Eastern philosophy (Buddhism in particular) for centuries (Allen & Leary, 2010). One of the key principles emphasized within many schools of Buddhism is learning to be compassionate which is supposed to help individuals develop their ability to recognize and motivate themselves towards meaningful change. In addition, compassion within Buddhism is seen as a way of helping individuals to practice their minds, which can drive to a general improvement in well-being and eventual enlightenment (Pauley & McPherson, 2010).
Caregiving for an elderly individual, or family member, can often result in stress for a caregiver (Bevans, 2012; Haley, 2003; Weitzner, Haley, & Chen, 2000; McMillan, 2005; Ugalde, Krishnasamy, & Schofield, 2011). This is a time during the family life cycle that the family often needs to re-arrange the way it is structured, and operates. It is characterized by the shifting of relationship between an elderly adult and his/her adult child, specifically because the elderly parent begins to rely on the child for increased support and assistance. This is because in later adulthood, individuals begin to age and can become ill or frail (; Anderson & Sabatelli, 2011; McGoldrick, & Walsh, 2003). As part of caring for an individual, or family member
Radey, M., & Figley, C. R. (2007). The social psychology of compassion. Clinical Social Work Journal, 35(3), 207-214.
An important step to decrease an ageist attitude is to take a step back and recognize biases and preconceived ideas that one has about older adults (DeBrew, 2015). Recognizing biases in combination with furthering one’s education about the effects of aging and the specific needs of older adults will help increase compassionate care. To allow for effective interventions it is important that the nurse understand that illness and infection manifest differently in older adults than they do in the younger population (DeBrew, 2015). In addition, through ethnographic study it was found that when nurses spend time doing activities with older adults it helps strengthen relationships and sense of community between care providers and elderly patients (DeBrew, 2015). According to the article, “occupational therapists who worked with older adults felt ‘stigmatized’ by their peers because their work was viewed as less challenging and requiring less skill and intellect than caring for other populations” (DeBrew, 2015). To promote compassionate patient care it is important that nurses and other professionals get support from their peers to confirm that their work is not insignificant and looked down upon. Finally, include the older adult while creating the plan of care to show them that they are a valued part of their healthcare
My interest in the elderly dates back to my childhood. Growing up with my grandparents greatly influenced my values and personality: they taught me to be self-motivated and disciplined. Their resilience and support has helped me to persevere even when confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Because of their kindness toward me I have a deep respect for them and for elderly people in general. This is what motivates me to become involved in the field of social work.
When I say that we should be compassionate, this does not mean helping others at the expense
As you can imagine, the financial cost and responsibility of caring for an aging parent are not the only demands family members must face. Most of the concerns and hardships these caregivers deal with are ways to address the needs of their parents while making sure they still provide them with the necessities. Eldercare creates a complex situation in which traditional roles of parent/child relationships are revealed. You may already be in that position or soon looking at it of being part of the 'sandwich generation', providing support for your own children as well that of your parents. Physically as well as financially.
Misusing the empathy into sympathy will not help become an effective service leadership as it cannot find the exact needs of the others. Some people may use sympathy as empathy as they do not truly understand the meaning of empathy and sympathy. The difference between empathy and sympathy is that, empathy is a process to input effort to attempt to “comprehend another’s experience”, while sympathy is a “direct perceptual awareness of another person’s experience” (Decety & Chaminade, 2003, p.127). For personal experience, one time, a friend felt hungry, the possible solution was suggested to buy a food to eat, however, the problem that lead to hunger was lack of money. In this case, the need is not the food but money. Sympathy can only see other’s situation or circumstance apparently, but cannot feel what exactly the person needs and recognize the difficulties of the situation. As a result, a satisfying support of care may not be provided as a low level of empathy is adopted, which is
Caregiving for an elderly person, or family member, can often result in stress for a caregiver (Bevans, 2012; Haley, 2003; Weitzner, Haley, & Chen, 2000; McMillan, 2005; Ugalde, Krishnasamy, & Schofield, 2011). This is a time during the family life cycle that the family often needs to re-arrange their structure, and methods of operating. Characteristic of this stage is the shifting of the relationship between an elderly adult and his/her adult child, specifically because the elderly parent begins to rely on the child for increased support and assistance. This is because in later adulthood, people begin to age and can become ill or frail (Anderson & Sabatelli, 2011; McGoldrick, & Walsh, 2003). As part of caring for an individual, or family member,
The Dalai Lama defines compassion as having much empathy for others’ till we can start to share each others’ own suffering. Empathy should be presented towards all beings including our enemies; that is the most effortless and purest form of compassion. The Dalai Lama would argue that when it comes to the use of compassion in our professional life is somewhat crucial or else “our activities are in danger of becoming destructive.” (Dalai Lama, pg. 64). This meaning that we wouldn’t consider the things we do or the decisions we make and how that might affect others’.
Too often we underestimate the power of a kind word, the embrace of a hug, the warmth of a smile, the open-minded listening ear, a simple compliment, or a humble act of compassion. Too often we underestimate the potential we hold within us to turn a life around. Compassion is the ultimate expression of one’s highest self. Is compassion nearly as difficult as some portray? The compassionate heart is as natural as flowers blossoming on a warm and bright summer day. Compassion flows through our hearts exactly as the warmth of hot chocolate streaming through our bodies on a frosty winter night. That same warmth that is felt when drinking hot chocolate, is felt when compassion is radiated onto someone in need. Love and compassion play hand in hand, you do not possess one without the other. The compassionate heart is one filled with love, joy, passion, and grace; yet also comes with a price. Even though compassion comes with a price, compassion has the magic to heal sorrow.
Careers, school, work, activities, and spending time with friends are only some of the reasons why people are becoming inconspicuous and are unable to show compassion towards the problems and feelings of other people. Having compassion and sharing the feelings and problems of another is called empathy. Displaying empathy towards another person’s stress and worries is an extremely important concept that more people should know about because it will help both themselves and the other individual. Not only does it help them, but it helps shape society. Even adolescent students