Validation and redirection — the core skill of dementia care
Lesson 3 of 5 in Dementia & Alzheimer's Care · 22 minutes
When a resident says something that isn't true, the wrong response is to correct them. The right response is to validate the emotion behind the statement, then redirect to a calmer activity. This is the technique that separates skilled PSWs from struggling ones.
What you'll learn
- Apply validation to confused or distressing statements
- Use redirection to shift attention without conflict
- Combine validation + redirection into a smooth response
- Recognize when to escalate (when validation isn't enough)
From the lesson
A resident with dementia says, 'I have to go pick up my children from school.' Her children are 60 years old. The wrong response is 'No, you don't — your children are grown.' The right response is 'You always took such good care of your children.' That's validation. Then: 'How about we have a cup of tea while we plan?' That's redirection. This combination is the most important skill in dementia care, and it takes practice.
Why correcting doesn't work
When a person with dementia says something that isn't factually true, correcting them:
• Doesn't change their reality (their brain has the wrong information). • Makes them feel humiliated, lost, or frightened. • Often triggers BPSD — agitation,…