About the Book
Validation is a practical way of communicating with and managing problem behaviour in older adults with Alzheimer's-type dementia. It helps reduce stress, enhance dignity, and increase happiness. Since its inception in 1989, Validation has helped thousands of professional and family caregivers improve their relationships with residents and loved ones with dementia. Caregivers who use these techniques validate older adults' expressed feelings, rather than focusing on disorientation and confusion.
In this Anniversary Edition of The Validation Breakthrough, you'll learn how to- re-create relationships between confused older adults and their caregivers.
- be caring and non-judgmental
- understand and handle challenging behaviours
- interpret non-verbal cues in a way that promotes communication
- implement Validation in your own care setting through the experiences of Authorized Validation Organisations around the world
The Validation method is easy to learn and positive results can be seen in both caregivers and residents. - Residents express less anger and anxiety, decreasing the need for chemical and physical restraints.
- Residents communicate more and exhibit an increased sense of humour
- Residents often move better and experience an improved sense of self-worth.
- Staff members express a greater sense of fulfilment at work and feel better prepared for handling difficult situations.
- Staff members demonstrate a higher level of camaraderie
- Families visit more often.
The Validation Breakthrough is an essential resource for all settings providing dementia care including assisted living facilities, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, home health care, adult day services, family care settings, and more.
Join the 10,000 agencies in over 16 countries that are successfully implementing Validation in their organisations and start changing how you care for individuals with dementia today.
2003 National Mature Media Award (Bronze Award Winner)
About the Author :
Naomi Feil, M.S., A.C.S.W., is the developer of Validation. After graduating with a Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University in New York, she began working with the elderly. Between 1963 and 1980 Mrs. Feil developed Validation as a response to her dissatisfaction with traditional methods of working with the severely disoriented old-old people who were her clients. In 1982 she published her first book, Validation: The Feil Method, which was revised in 1992. Her second book, The Validation Breakthrough, was published in 1993, and updated and revised in 2012.
Vicki de Klerk-Rubin works full-time as a Validation Master-Teacher and lecturer as well as Naomi Feil's manager in Europe. As European Manager, she was a founding member of the European Validation Association (1993) and assisted in the development of Authorized Validation Organizations in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland. Her book, Validation Techniques for Dementia Care: The Family Guide to Improving Communication (English edition 2008) has been published in German (2006), Japanese (2009) and Swedish (2010).
Review :
"As an organization we have a goal to spread the message about Validation Therapy and provide training so that people with the disease can receive the care that they deserve." -- Wayne Olson, Senior Vice President of Healthcare Operations "Volunteers of America"
"Naomi Feil and Vicki de Klerk-Rubin present an artful, sensitive, and caring intervention approach to working with confused and disoriented older adults. The case studies and examples are rich with insight and provide clear examples of techniques that may be used. The approach is empowering to older adults and to their caregivers." -- Harvey L. Sterns, Ph.D., Director "Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology, The University of Akron"
"Naomi Feil has developed practical techniques to open doors previously shut, span bridges across vast communication divides, and bring comfort and joy to disoriented elderly, their caregivers and loved ones." -- Fran Bulloff, J.D., President "Validation Training Institute"
"The Validation Breakthrough teaches caregivers and families how to stay connected to their loved ones even in the late stages of Alzheimer's and how to communicate with them even when they no longer can." -- Donna Beveridge, watercolorist, teacher, and literacy specialist diagnosed with probable early-stage "email"
"This third edition offers even more stories, ideas, directions, and information about the Validation Method and the respect, fulfillment, and human connections it creates. It deserves to be read and applied by everyone having a sincere interest in dementia work and caregiving." -- Stephen Klotz, Certified Validation Master, M.Div., and Executive Director "Validation Education, Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Hershey, PA"
"Validation can and does help individuals with agitation and aggressive behavior. This book gives you the approach, the tools, and the opportunity for healing. I highly recommend it to my medical colleagues and all those caring for individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias." -- Craig P. Solberg, MD "HealthEast Medical Care for Seniors, St. Paul, Minnesota"
"Validation is a moral imperative in our time. Read this book and learn how to communicate with people with and without dementia. On virtually every page is an insight that helps us break through the fears of aging, dependency, and death." -- Michael Verde, Founder & President "Memory Bridge"
