Validation therapy for dementia.

Validation therapy is a "therapy for communicating with old-old people who are diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease and related dementia". The approach was developed by Naomi Feil between 1963 and 1980. She classifies individuals with cognitive impairment as having one of four stages on a continuum of dementia: these stages are Malorientation, Time Confusion, Repetitive Motion and Vegetation. The benefits of Validation therapy for patients are reported by Feil as restoration of self worth, minimisation of the the degree to which patients withdraw from the outside world, promotion of communication and interaction with other people, reduction of stress and anxiety, stimulation of dormant potential, help in resolving unfinished life tasks, facilitation of independent living for as long as possible. These benefits are highly desirable and Validation therapy but there is a need to show them on the basis of substantive research yielding strong evidence across a number of well designed studies. The potential number of people that might benefit from the implementation of Validation therapy is considerable given the increasing incidence of dementia.