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The Validation Method

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The Validation Method

The Validation Method

The Validation Method

The Validation Method

The Validation Method

Charles de vilmorin
Charles de vilmorin
Charles de vilmorin
Charles de vilmorin
1 Campaign |
Portland, United States
$20,566 USD 87 backers
41% of $50,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Enhanced respect and communication for people living with dementia

 

Our Story:

Validation began in the 1970s as the personal practice of a brilliant individual, Naomi Feil. Born in Munich, Naomi and her family escaped Nazi Germany and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Her father became the administrator of The Montefiore Home for the Aged and they lived in 5 rooms alongside the elderly residents. This is where the roots of Validation began.

 

Feil originated the concept of what is now known as ‘person-centered care’. She built Validation on an empathetic attitude and a holistic view of individuals with dementia. She said, “When you ‘step into the shoes’ of another human being and ‘see through their eyes’, you step into the world of disoriented very old people and suddenly understand the meaning of their sometimes bizarre behavior.”

 

 

Today, 4000 caregivers have been trained to listen, show honor and keep communicating with people living with dementia resulting in hundreds of thousands of elderly that have now benefited from Validation.

 

You can see Validation in action in this Buzzfeed article and this YouTube video, which has received nearly 1 million views.

 

With the help of a few supporters she created the Validation Training Institute (VTI) as a vehicle for spreading information, and training practitioners.

 

We want families and caregivers to feel the joy and love of communicating with disoriented elderly and enjoy new ways of connecting to them.

 

Over the past 30 years, VTI, working only with a volunteer Board, has created and delivered constantly evolving training programs in 23 countries, published 4 books in 12 languages, created films and built an international network of affiliated organizations.  There are over 350 certified Validation teachers and a growing number of Master teachers to mentor and support them.

 

 

     

 

 

International research has shown that caregivers feel more competent and enjoy their interactions with older people; the elderly respond with fewer challenging behaviors because their need to be accepted and listened to is met.

 

Sunrise Senior Living, Volunteers of America, Country Meadows, training centers of the Red Cross in Europe and other organizations geared to the care of people with dementia have become Validation training centers because they believe this method is the most effective way to provide high quality care that lasts.

 

Now, Validation, once a maverick concept, is comfortably in synch with contemporary thinking about Alzheimer's care and the number of people who need Validation training is rapidly growing. VTI cannot support much more expansion or new program development with the current lack of staff, and growth is necessary to both its survival and the fulfillment of the mission to bring Validation to more people.

 

VTI developed a 5-year strategic plan to guide this expansion: from mom ‘n pop shop to professional organization. We need to raise seed money to kick this off this transformation. We are looking for individual supporters to help us reach our initial goal. With $50,000 we can hire a part-time development director, who will begin to build long-term sources of funding for VTI. With more steady sources of funds, we can hire additional staff, create marketing strategies, and annual development plans.

 

Testimonials

A Peaceful Journey for a Loved One

In 2009 my Dad began showing some serious signs of dementia. By September of that year he was diagnosed with early dementia. I moved him to assisted living after his forgetting to take his medication landed him in the hospital. By 2014 he was in the second phase, time-confused. Eventually I had to place him in a memory care lock down unit. They would only keep him there if he was medicated for paranoia and hallucinations leading to disturbances.

 

My heart sunk. I was frustrated and didn't know where to turn. I was ready to start medication for my own anxiety. Instead I found a link to Validation on the Alzheimer's website. I purchased every book available by Naomi Feil and Vicki de Klerk-Rubin. I begin using Validation with my father. My anxiety completely disappeared. I began enjoying my visits with my Dad.

 

After a couple of months I signed up for a 10 month course to become a Certified Validation Worker. My relationship with my Dad was fantastic. We went out to lunch every Thursday. And best of all I was able to wean him off all his medication.

 

Then in late February his physical health took a turn. He was 97. He was on a steady decline battling with pneumonia. He passed away April 21, 2015.

 

The aim of Validation is for one to die in peace. I can honestly tell you that my Dad had a peaceful death. In the weeks before he died his caregivers commented on how peaceful he was. I was with him when he died as I said prayers for him. Death is never a pleasant experience but with Dad it was really beautiful.

 

I am so thankful for having the opportunity to use Validation my Dad.

 

I was half way through the course when he passed away. What to do? Should I continue? I had made wonderful relationships with other clients so I decided to pursue becoming a Validation Worker. I completed the course and have received my certificate. My future in Validation is unclear but I plan to volunteer my time with those in need, hopefully with other adult children of parents with dementia.

 

Jackie Schoenbaum, CVW, Level I

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Validation Helps Caregivers Improve their Interactions

 

My view of the world and my work with elders experienced a tectonic shift in 2011 when I heard Naomi Feil speak for the first time.  All of my personal and work interactions with older adults have been completely changed since then.  Her approach involving empathy, communication, understanding that "behaviors" are the communication of needs, and dignity for those experiencing disorientation and an "avalanche of losses" spoke viscerally to me...I just knew it was right.  Further study and practice of Validation has confirmed this for me.  Our world...both elders and those who interact with them...needs the Validation approach.  Our lives will all be the better for it.


Stacey B. Hand, MA, CVW

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The Circle of Memories

 

I was not prepared for the rush of emotion I felt when I walked into the nursing home. Instantly, I saw a woman who reminded me of my mother, with her curly white hair and sweet, vacuous stare. I had not been inside a home since Mom had died from Alzheimer’s more than a year ago. But my friend Scott Averill had invited me to visit his facility and be part of his Validation group and I was curious.

 

Months earlier, I had met Naomi Feil, who founded Validation which helps caregivers validate the emotions and communications of people who have Alzheimer’s. It is a way to honor, inspire, encourage and connect people.

 

Margaret sat on one side of me, comfortably ensconced in a geriatric chair. Scott led in Irene, who sat on my other side. Irene wore a bright pink top with bunnies on it, white pull-on slacks, a cranberry colored glass-bead necklace and a large rhinestone ring. She took one look at me and said, “I don't know you.”

 

I introduced myself. Instantly, she took my hand and held it. Just as instantly, I fell in love with her. During the last years of my mother’s life, Mom and I had done a lot of hand-holding and I missed that simple yet deep connection. This was the way to begin a friendship, I thought, sailing past the details and posturing of everyday life and simply holding hands.

Today’s group happened to be all women.  Scott reminded Irene that she was the song leader and shyly Irene agreed, mentioning, “I don’t really know any songs.”  Scott began the opening song “I’ve been working on the railroad.” Slowly, Irene and everyone joined in.

 

Scott asked another woman to welcome us. At first, this small woman, hunched over in her wheelchair, was silent and I wondered if she could speak.  I bit my lip as she fought to form and say the words. “I want to welcome each of you to this gracious gathering…” she said, haltingly.  I thought about my usual desire for speed and efficiency.  If I had not been sitting in this circle, I might have missed this woman’s words and the glow that filled her face when she finished speaking.

 

As I watched and listened to each person, I realized I was in a circle with an amazing variety of women: women who brimmed with wit and mischief, women of prayer and serenity, women of secret smiles and silent musings, and women who loved to help and serve. I saw how Scott honored and included each person, in whatever way was right for her.

 

We sang another song and Fanny said, “I thought I was crazy once, but it was all in my mind.” As we laughed, Fanny advised, “You should laugh a lot, every day.”

 

I remembered a childhood birthday party, with a circle of children all clustered around a piñata. Inside this ordinary papier mache animal were treats and prizes. We all worked diligently, trying to break through the thick layers to get to the luscious sweetness. This validation circle was doing the same thing, breaking through to the luscious sweetness

 

Margaret said, “I love you all and I will always be there for you.”  I gently squeezed Irene’s hand and she smiled at me.

 

As the meeting ended, Scott knelt before each woman, saying her name and thanking her for coming. I watched, awestruck, as he patiently moved around the circle, each woman flowering under the attention. When he said to me, “Deborah, thank you for coming to this meeting and thank you for being part of it,” I felt an odd sense of pleasure and achievement.  In all the many meetings I had attended, I had never had such an affirmation. No one had ever knelt in front of me and thanked me for showing up. 

 

The nurse aides came in to help people back to their rooms.

                “I loved meeting you,” I said, to Irene, reluctantly letting go of her hand.

                “Come back,” she said. 

                “I will,” I answered.

I knew I would return, but not just because of my interest in connecting with people who have Alzheimer’s. I would return because of the wonderful connection I felt, sitting quietly in a circle of welcoming people, sharing old songs, saying our names and being honored and validated simply for being. 

 

Deborah Shouse is the author of Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding Hope in the Caregiver’s Journey.  She is completing a book on using creativity to connect with those living with dementia, tentatively titled Creativity in the Land of Dementia: Finding Inspiration on the Journey. Please visit her blog DementiaJourney.org

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Validation Success at Home

Testimonial from Ms H., the daughter of a woman living with Alzheimer’s disease. Ms H. cares for her mother in her family home with the help of the extended family and a live-in caregiver. Vicki de Klerk, CVM taught the family the basics of Validation and coached them in the home setting.

 

You have to know you really helped us. We always remember you as someone who was really supportive and closer than maybe some of our family members. You gave us comfort even when the reality of your words was too hard for us to understand at that time. You gave us strength and I talk on behalf of all my family that we thank God ... are so lucky because no matter what ... we are all stronger than ever and close to each other. No matter what people go through in life if you don’t have genuine love for each other and care ... Nothing would be the same. 

 

Your book really helped us a lot. It’s not always easy (How should I act? What should I do?), but slowly we can relate to every word you wrote.

 

I do believe we need more people like you around us. We need more awareness.  People still think that this disease is just about forgetting, but it’s way more. We must all adapt to a new way of life.

 

My mother’s situation isn’t easy at all. She doesn’t talk or walk anymore. She reacts sometimes at certain things we say. She smiles, and that is the only thing we care about.

It took me a lot of time to accept that I needed to bring in someone to help care for my mother. I couldn’t handle the pressure anymore. We have a lovely nurse and now I decided to resign from my current job to spend more time with my mother. I want to be there at this stage.

 

She’s currently stable. She sometimes reacts more and sometimes tries to talk.

 

Mrs. H

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Validation Success at Presbyterian Communities and Services

 

Just over 20 years ago I attended my first Validation workshop with Naomi Feil and was so impressed.  I was running a small facility at the time with Alzheimer patients intermixed in the general population (not ideal). 

 

We had a female resident who would regularly come out of her room ranting and raving about things that had been taken from her, commonly her sweater.  We would find her sweater and she would angrily say it wasn’t hers and continue to rant that everything was being taken from her.  We tried Validation and the results were amazing.

 

When she ranted about her sweater being stolen and how we were all thieves taking everything from her, we tried to use empathy and reflect her emotions by asking questions like, “What else do you miss?” “Since when have you missed it?” “Who’s taking it?” The more we explored, the more she expressed her frustration with losing everything in life. And then finally she calmly, and sadly noted that she was losing all of her friends. It was then that we could share her sadness with her.

 

Over the coming weeks, this scenario played out several more times but it lost its fervor and in time she quit accusing everyone of stealing things from her and was much calmer and happier.  This was the first of many successes with Validation but is still my favorite!

 

Godwin G. Dixon

Executive Vice Chairman

Presbyterian Communities and Services

Irving, Texas ​

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Choose your Perk

Signed note from Naomi Feil

$10 USD
A signed note of appreciation from Naomi Feil
0 claimed

A newly revised book

$25 USD
Validation: the Feil Method, new edition
7 claimed

A signed book

$50 USD
Validation: the Feil method, signed by Naomi Feil
1 claimed

A Signed Book & a DVD

$100 USD
A signed book + the DVD, Introduction to Validation
2 claimed

Signed Book, DVD col. & TShirt

$250 USD
A signed book + the DVD Introduction to Validation + an 'Validation' t-shirt
0 claimed

A Validation Workshop

$500 USD
A ticket to a workshop (the closest to your location) with an experienced Validation teacher
0 claimed

A Workshop or coaching session

$1,000 USD
For companies: a workshop with an experienced Validation teacher for no fee (only travel and hotel to be paid) For individuals: a 60 minute coaching session with master teacher, Vicki de Klerk
0 claimed

A dedicated talk w.Naomi Feil

$5,000 USD
A 60 minute phone/skype conversation with Naomi Feil giving you advice on your Validation technique and/or staff coaching
2 out of 3 of claimed

1:1 workshop with Naomi Feil

$10,000 USD
Naomi Feil will come to your company or home and give a training/workshop for no fee – only 1 of this perk will be given
0 out of 1 of claimed
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