Validation Approach to Alzheimer's Patients

Basics

Validation is amethod of interacting with the dementia of people in the late stages ofAlzheimer's. People with Alzheimer's, especially on the late stages, frequentlyexhibit abnormal, sometimes even incomprehensible, behavior. For example, theymay think they are living in a different time or place or they may continuouslyrepeat a physical gesture. Many people - including professionals - feel thatcaregivers should handle this behavior by stopping it, ignoring it orcorrecting it.

According tovalidation method developer Naomi Feil, this unconventional behavior, whileillogical, is an attempt by the Alzheimer's sufferer to communicate and expresstheir needs. The aim of the validation method is to understand and empathizewith the needs the person is trying to express. So, the theory behindvalidation is the belief that people with dementia do and say things for areason, and validating their words and actions is a way of encouraging them tokeep communication open with the rest of the world. Another foundationalprinciple of validation states, that older people are to be valued as is, andthose with dementia should not be changed.

Principles

Here are the keytenets of the Validation Method:

• Validation is a method of communicating with and helping disoriented very old people. It is a practical approach that helps reduce stress, enhance dignity and increase happiness. Validation is built on an empathetic attitude and a holistic view of individuals. By stepping into the shoes of another human being and seeing the world through their eyes, caregivers can step into their world and better understand the meaning of their sometimes bizarre behavior.
• Validation theory understands that these patients are often in the final stage of life and trying to resolve unfinished issues in order to die in peace. Validation techniques allow patients to have the opportunity to express what they wish to express verbally or non-verbally.
• Validation practitioners are taught to be caring, non-judgmental and open to the feelings that patients expressed, believing that when patients can express the things that have often been suppressed for many years, the intensity of the feelings lessen, they communicate more and are less likely to withdraw into further stages of disorientation.

Effects

The way to validate a person that is suffering from dementia is to figureout why they do and say what they do in details, and to accept this behavior.Using validation methods of interaction is thought to prevent late stageAlzheimer's patients from shutting down further mentally, keeping theircognitive function active as much as possible. Validation encouragesAlzheimer's patients to forge a trust with their caregivers as a means toencouraging communication between the two.

By lending an understanding ear to someone with Alzheimer's to verbalize theirfrustrations, worries and fears, the negative emotions can diminish. This willcontribute to better cognitive functioning and behavior.

In her article "Communicating with the Confused Elderly Patient," Naomi Feilgives practical examples of the how the validation method works to helpcommunication between patient and caregiver. The following material is anexcerpt from this article:

The following scenario, based on actual case experience, depicts a lesseffective way of responding to disorientation.

Mrs. K: "Doctor,I have to go home now to feed my children."

Physician: "Mrs.K, you can't go home. Your children are not there. You are 96 years old. Yourchildren are grown and live far away."

Mrs. K.: "Oh,Doctor I know all that. That's why I have to get out of here, right now. I haveto feed them. They're coming home for lunch, and the door is locked. Get me outof here!"

The following response may be more appropriate, because it focusesinstead on the objective here and now and avoids asking why - a concept thatdisoriented older people may not wish or be able to deal with.

Mrs. K.: "Doctor,I have to go home now to feed my children."

Physician: "Whatwill you feed them?"

Mrs. K.: "Oh,Doctor, I am a good mother." (The patient here confuses present and past time.)"They love tuna. Do you think that's good for them?"

Physician: "Ithas a lot of protein. Is that what you fed your children? Do your grandchildreneat tuna?"

Mrs. K.: "Theylove it. I brought them all up right!" (The patient now moves between pastfantasy and present reality. When her need to be a good mother is expressed,she can place herself in present time.)

Express the emotional need of the person aloud, thereby affirming theperson's right to feel and to express feelings. Example:

Mrs. K.: "Doctor,I have to feed my children."

Physician: "Youmust have been a good mother. You must miss your children."

Mrs. K.: "You knowit. I always cared for them. Whatever they wanted, I gave them. You guessed it.But I get along all right now without them."

Dimensions

As a caregiver, youhave been introduced to a new and different world - the world of dementia.People who inhabit the world of dementia are in a very different place thanthose of us who live in "Reality" (whatever that is).

1. Time. The first dimension in the Alzheimer's Universe is Time. Time in the world of dementia operates completely differently than time does for the rest of us. First, time is not sequential in the dementia universe. Time can be present at one moment, past at another and future at another. Time has absolutely no continuity.

2. Memory. Memory is very different in the world of dementia. Past may be confused with present. Memory may be there one moment and gone the next. The mind plays hurtful tricks in the world of dementia - making a known and loved child or spouse into a stranger to be feared. Family may no longer be family. As much as we in the "Real" world know that this is our mother or wife or husband, the person in the dementia world does not know these "Realities". S/he only knows what they know at any given moment. It is so hard to accept their dementia world.

It is so different from what we know in the "Real" world. Yet,there is no successful alternative but to accept whatever the dementia personclaims as their reality - no matter how untrue it is to us. There is nosuccessful way to "force" a person with dementia to join the"Real" world. Usually, the most frustrated caregivers are the oneswho have not accepted this simple fact: the world of dementia is defined by thedementia victim. We in the "Real" world do not define it. We can onlyhope to live in it somewhat peacefully IF AND ONLY IF we accept this dementiaworld on the terms of the person with dementia. If they "see" arabbit on the couch, they see it. If you are not their spouse, you are not. Ifit is breakfast time, it is breakfast time (even at 6 p.m.).

Telling the dementia person that "I am too your wife" or"No, John, it IS NOT Friday. It is Sunday." Or saying, "Sally,you don't have any little babies. You are 85. Your babies are all grownup" - these kinds of statements from the "Real" world almostalways serve only to upset and distress the dementia person. However, if yousay something like, "If you say so, but I'd like to be your friend. .." or "It's your Friday, huh? What do you do on Fridays?" or"Sally, tell me about your babies."

3. Emotions. Emotions are also very different in the dementia universe. First, consider that the dementia person's reasoning abilities are very limited or perhaps gone completely. There are actual changes in the brain that affect a dementia person's ability to think. So, they are somewhat like a pre-schooler in their ability to assess, judge, make decisions, etc. Most dementia folks have some difficulty in understanding the spoken language. However, almost all dementia folks can easily pick up on the FEELINGS being expressed. It is very true that in the dementia universe, it is NOT so much what you say, but HOW you say it. When frustration, anger, and loudness creep into your voice, the dementia person is going to feel that much more strongly than the actual words being said.

Types

There are physical,mental and social aspects of validation. Some Alzheimer's validation techniquesinclude:

• Centering. Centering is necessary in order to feel empathy for someone with dementia. To become centered, one must disregard personal feelings and thoughts in the mind.
• Mirroring. Mirroring is adopting similar actions, tone, and volume of voice of someone. This technique is based on the human behavior theory that people like, trust and feel comfortable with people that are similar to them. Mirroring is not imitating or mocking. For example, if someone is leaning in close to speak to you with a calm and low voice, then you would also lean in close and use a low tone of voice.
• Physical Touch. Physical touch is used to foster a relationship and trust with someone with Alzheimer's. This technique can be used in subtle ways over time to foster communication with someone that tends to withdraw.

Features

Alzheimer'svalidation is comprised of four parts:

1. The behavior of people with dementia is specific to their age. They are trying to tie up the loose ends of their life's issues before they die.
2. Validation puts the behavior of people with Alzheimer's into four stages:
   
   
1. Malorientation involves minimal forgetfulness and confusion;
2. Time confusion involves losing the ability to distinguish chronological time;
3. Repetitive motion--when Alzheimer's patients can't use their words, they resort to repetitive motion to solve problems;
4. Vegetation, or blocking out the rest of the world and ceasing to try to resolve their life issues.
   
   
3. Validation should employ techniques related to the mental, physical, emotional and social aspects of Alzheimer's.
4. Five to 10 people should make up the validation group with the goal of providing stimulation and communication with the person suffering from Alzheimer's.

Benefits

Employing validationtechniques has the following benefits for Alzheimer's patients:

• Fewer incidents of lashing out physically;
• Less of a need to be physically restrained;
• Less of a need to be calmed down with medication or tranquilizers;
• Improved communication;
• The speed of Alzheimer's disease progression is slowed;
• Increased self-esteem and value of self.

History

Naomi Feil, anexpert on Alzheimer's disease, is credited with founding validation therapy.She was born in Germany in 1932 and raised in a Cleveland, Ohio, home forthe elderly. Her mother worked in social services and her father was thedirector of the elderly home. She developed validation as an alternative totraditional methods of interaction with elderly people with dementia. TheValidation Method is a globally acclaimed protocol for care published in her1982 book, Validation: The Feil Method. Feil's philosophy fordementia care is holistic and based in her understanding that unusual behaviorsexpressed by dementia sufferers are often due to a combination of cognitive,physical and social losses, and represent an attempt to express unresolvedfeelings and emotions.

Sources and Additional Reading:

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