The Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People with 'Alzheimer's-Type Dementia' [Paperback]

Naomi Feil (Author), Vicki De Klerk-Rubin (Author), Vicki De Klerk-Rubin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2002

This extraordinary book shows caregivers how they can interact successfully with people with dementia by avoiding reality orientation and instead focusing on underlying emotional needs. Based on the principles of Erik Erikson and on subsequent decades of work with disoriented older adults, the simple techniques of Validation are easy to learn, take just minutes a day, and can be used by both family and professional caregivers. Let the powerful techniques of internationally recognized expert Naomi Feil help you reach confused older adults by establishing respectful, loving relationships that break the silence of withdrawal. Discover new ways to meet the challenges of caring for people with dementia! Touching, amusing, and informative, The Validation Breakthrough shows caregivers how to dramatically enhance the quality of their relationships with people in the early to middle stages of dementing illnesses. Helpful, practical strategies will show you how to stop patronizing and arguing with people with dementia and start building trust by stepping into their world. Eighteen poignant case studies illustrate how Validation is used to handle wandering, agitation, and other challenging behaviors--and reduce the sense of anger and frustration in caregivers and clients alike. Essential reading for long-term care staff, gerontologists, social workers, and family members, The Validation Breakthrough is transforming the way caregivers communicate with people with dementia

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Health Professions Pr; 2 edition (January 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878812815
• ISBN-13: 978-1878812810
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read., November 15, 1999

By 

J. Summers, CNA (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People with Alzheimer's-Type Dementia (Paperback)

An excellent book for both the professional caregiver and families trying to deal with this sometimes unfathomable disease. Gives practical ideas and techniques for helping people with dementia deal with issues from paranoia and blaming to sadness and helplessness. I have just begun to explore these techniques and am finding they work so well that they should be mandatory training for nurses, PCAs and CNAs. Instead of treating our seniors like they are children we at last have a way to talk to them on an adult level, tap into where they are at, deal with the problem at hand and we all come out better for the experience.

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on the subject. A MUST READ !, October 7, 2000

By 

Martine Davis (the Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People with Alzheimer's-Type Dementia (Paperback)

If you live with or care for someone with Alzheimer's or other age related dementia, you must read this book ! What an eye-opener! For the first time I finally understood why Alzheimer's patients say what they say and do what they do. It all makes so much sense now. This small book reads quickly and is full of examples of real people who have been helped with the author's techniques. It shows you how to handle the blaming, accusing, name-calling and the repetitive motions ... It also explains why the way most of us react to Alzheimer's patients actions actually worsens the situation and can cause them to progress to a more advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease ! This book could extend the relationship between the patient and caregivers and should be MANDATORY reading for all staff working in nursing homes and long-term care facilities !

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Change your whole approach--for the better. Facinating!, March 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People with Alzheimer's-Type Dementia (Paperback)

More and more relevant as we care for aging parents. With a title like this one might think: "Boring" Absolutely not so! Right from the start, the stories of the people are so real and so touching that one of my friends said she was moved to tears. She was so sad not to have known about this way of relating to her father. "It works," she told me. "Validation Breakthrough" shows a new way of relating to people with dementia of Alzheimer's type. This approach is effective in helping the person to clear up unresolved issues in their lives. You do not have to be a professionally trained therapist to use validation. Validation will make the relationship more rewarding for both people. It is not hard to learn and makes wonderful sense. Some readers may want to ask new questions of care facilities (like nursing homes) as the validation approach will keep loved ones from slipping into a vegetative state. It will also make the care much kinder, and more rewarding for the care givers.