Block 5:  Integrating the Validating Approach into Daily Work (Part 1)

  • The validation method is a way of communicating with persons living with dementia in a way that acknowledges their perceived reality instead of challenging or correcting their views.

  • The validation method is a communication technique often used when interacting with individuals who are living with dementia or cognitive impairments. Instead of correcting or challenging their perceptions, we focus on acknowledging their feelings, thoughts, and experiences .

  • The validation method is a communication technique often used when interacting with individuals who are living with dementia or cognitive impairments. Instead of correcting or challenging their perceptions, the approach focuses on acknowledging and accepting their feelings, thoughts, and experiences as real to them.
    For example,
    “The validation method is about meeting individual where they are emotionally and mentally. If someone living with dementia believes they’re late for work, even though they’re retired, instead of correcting them, you might say, ‘You were always so dedicated to your job. It must feel strange not to be going today.’ This approach helps reduce anxiety, builds trust, and makes the person feel heard and respected. It’s less about the facts and more about validating the feelings behind the words.”

  • try to explore someone emotion what they are feeling not to divert them but let them express themselves, trying to find out their need by listening to them, showing empathy by understanding their feeling, making them feel heard and that you care about their feelings and build a trusting relationship, always give them your full attention when speaking to them. eye contact is very important, the tone of voice you ese and body language is important to matched theirs

  • I will explain to a person that it is a way to show someone that you respect and also accept their feeling and who they are. It is also a way to communicate acceptance. To show empathy and try to understand the way they feel.

Back to: Enhancing Engagement Through Validation