Validation Therapy in Palm Beach County

Helping Patients with Dementia

If you have a loved one struggling with dementia, you may be familiar with the frustration of trying to communicate with them. While it can be difficult to try to connect and understand them, validation therapy is an approach that has been found to help bridge the gap between dementia patients and their caregivers. Developed by Naomi Feil in the 1980s, validation therapy seeks to meet the emotional needs of those living with dementia. Let’s take a look at how this form of therapy works and why it is so effective for those suffering from dementia-related issues.

The Pioneer of Validation Therapy

Naomi Feil is considered a pioneer in the field of geriatric care and was instrumental in developing validation therapy. Her methods focus on understanding our aging population, particularly those affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. She believes that validating what someone is feeling and acknowledging their story helps provide comfort and understanding while also helping build relationships between patient and caregiver.

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What is the Objective of Validation Therapy / What Does Validation Therapy Seek to Do?

Providing comfort by letting patients know that they are being understood and accepted as they are—not how they were before dementia changed their lives forever. It teaches caregivers how to accept an individual as they are when they cannot remember or express themselves correctly or accurately. Validation therapy also helps caregivers better understand why someone with dementia might react differently than expected or become agitated when communicating certain topics.

Validation Therapy in Palm Beach County

One challenge faced by those caring for someone with dementia is that memory loss often leads people to incorrectly remember events, or simply make up events altogether. Validating these stories provides a sense of relief for patients as it eliminates any feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment associated with not being able to remember accurately, allowing them to feel safe expressing themselves without fear of judgment.

How Validation Therapy Helps Patients with Dementia

Validation therapy has been found to reduce agitation in patients with dementia. Agitation is often a symptom of frustration caused by communication barriers, so validating what the patient is feeling can help provide emotional relief.

Validation also helps improve communication between caregivers and their loved ones by allowing them to be an active participant in conversations and providing insight into the patient’s emotional state. By focusing on the individual’s feelings rather than trying to correct or redirect a conversation, it can help reduce confusion and increase understanding between both parties.

Validation therapy has been proven to be an effective tool in helping those living with dementia feel accepted and understood. At Lux Senior Care, we believe that aging is an accomplishment. We revere our elders, and we strive to maintain their dignity. Our caregivers for patients with dementia deploy validation therapy along with other best practices to ensure that your elderly loved ones see and experience an unmatched level of care, compassion, and respect. By offering validation to our patients, they’re more at peace with the world they live in. We seek to make the best of the situation – which is elongating their happiness and health despite a diagnosis of dementia. For more information on our dementia care services, you can also visit our dedicated dementia care page here.

Need Help? Choose Lux Senior Care for Validation Therapy for Patients with Dementia

Validation therapy has been proven effective time and time again in providing comfort for those dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia. If you have a loved one who suffers from any form of memory-related issues, Lux Senior Care can help you find qualified caregivers in Palm Beach County who specialize in validating the emotions felt by individuals suffering from memory loss conditions such as dementia. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your family member get the care they need!