Empathy and Compassion: Foundations for Person-Centered, Staff-Sustaining Care

August 26, 2025

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ET

ACCME & NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE.

The relationships formed between residents and staff in long-term care settings can foster mutual compassion and support overall well-being. In this training, Kristin M. MacDonald, PhD, MS, RD, will present original research highlighting the positive impact of experienced compassion at work on nursing facility direct caregivers. She will also clarify the distinction between empathy and compassion which are two closely related, but distinct elements central to person-centered care. Participants will take part in an interactive empathy mapping exercise focused on residents with complex behavioral health needs.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Define the concepts of empathy, compassion, and “experienced compassion at work.”
  2. Understand how compassion benefits the well-being of both nursing home residents and direct care staff.
  3. Learn how to use empathy mapping to enhance caregiving practices by applying key insights of empathy and compassion.

Speaker: Kristin M. MacDonald, PhD, MS, RD

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the center of excellence for behavioral health in nursing facilities (COE-NF)

Established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the COE-NF offers Certified Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Staff a centralized resource hub with easy access to trainings, technical assistance and additional resources, at no cost.

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What We Do

We help nursing facilities to improve the quality of life and care provided for residents who are experiencing a variety of behavioral health disorders, with a focus on Serious Mental Illness (SMI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-Occurring Disorders (COD).

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We provide direct technical assistance, evidence-based training, and resources that are appropriate for every member of your long-term care facility — from those providing day-to-day direct care, to clinical and administrative staff.

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