Kelly Scott: Hello, I am Kelly Scott of Emeritus Senior Living. Communicating with someone with Alzheimer's or Dementia can be very challenging, giving them loss of memory, reasoning skills and judgement. So how should you proceed? In this video I will discuss a way of communicating with your loved one called validation. That will help promote positive feelings and interactions for both of you. Often, people with dementia will still have their long term memories intact and reference those memories to make sense of today. For example, they may wake up talking about going to work, even though they have been retired for years. Validation means to expect or enter into their reality of world.

By using validation and entering into their reality, you will help them feel safe. It will also provide you with a meaningful interaction through reminiscing. Validation is most successful by using these guidelines. Identify yourself as you approach and get their attention before you touch them. Used your loved ones preferred name, make eye contact, use encouragement and reassurance. Enter the reality and reminisce with them. Make sure your verbal and non-verbal messages are the same. I understand how difficult it can be, when your loved one doesn't recognize you or believes they are in a different time and place. These tips will help you to better communicate and have meaningful, enjoyable moments with them.