Validation
True or False: Validation means agreeing
with everything a resident
False
True or False: Responsive behaviours
often communicate unmet needs.
True.
Why are life stories important in dementia
care?
They help personalize
care.
Finish the phrase: People may forget what
you said, but remember how you...
Made them feel.
Name one Bird's Nest activity that
supports meaningful engagement.
Any appropriate activity
such as stroller walk,
sensory activity, music,
beauty care, folding,
reminiscence.
A resident says, 'I need my mother.' What
is a validating first response?
Tell me about your mother
Name two possible unmet needs behind
pacing.
Pain, anxiety, toileting,
hunger, boredom, need for
purpose, searching.
Name three ways to learn about a
resident.
Family, observation,
conversation, chart,
photos, past routines.
Which should staff respond to first: the
facts or the feeling?
The feeling.
A resident is calling out in the hallway.
What is your first step?
Approach warmly and
assess comfort, emotion,
and need.
Why can correcting a resident increase distress?
It can feel embarrassing, frightening, or confrontational.
A resident refuses care. Name two
possible reasons.
Fear, pain,
embarrassment, confusion,
fatigue, cold, unfamiliar
staff.
How can a former nurse be meaningfully
engaged?
Invite them to help with
safe familiar tasks, folding,
organizing, checking
supplies, caring roles.
Name three emotions a resident may feel
during personal care.
Fear, embarrassment,
confusion, shame,
frustration, vulnerability.
A resident wants to leave to go to work.
What could you say?
You have always been
responsible. Tell me about
your work.
A resident says, " Nobody told me dinner was over." What should you validate?
The feeling of being left out, confused, or upset.
What should staff ask before saying a
resident is 'attention-seeking'?
What need are they trying
to communicate?
Why might a resident respond better to
one activity than another?
It connects to their identity,
interests, culture, routine,
or sensory comfort.
What does 'slow is smooth' mean in
dementia care?
Slowing down can make
care calmer and safer.
Two staff members use different
approaches and the resident becomes
upset. What is the learning point?
Consistency matters.
Create a validating response to: "Someone stole my purse!"
That feels very upsetting. Let's look together and make sure your things are safe.
A resident becomes upset every
afternoon. Name three things to
investigate.
Fatigue, hunger, pain,
overstimulation,
sundowning pattern,
boredom, toileting, staffing
changes.
What is one risk of not knowing a
resident's life story?
Care can become
task-focused, triggering, or
meaningless.
How does team culture affect resident
care?
Staff tone, consistency,
and support shape the
emotional climate.
Create a one-minute team plan for a
resident who is anxious before meals.
Assess triggers, assign
consistent approach, use
calm cueing, offer familiar
seat, reduce noise, validate
feelings.