From the NYT: Naomi Feil, dead at 91

harshedbuzz

gifted link

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/24/health/naomi-feil-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Qk0.mXNA.xPXReqf3GQ7z&smid=url-share

SusanB-dil

Oh, my! Thank you HB.

Wonderful lady dedicating her life in such a way. She was quite the pioneer

forbarbara

Thanks for gifting this to us. Reading the description of her work in validation therapy was a powerful validation for me. What a huge contribution she made

harshedbuzz

This was the approach that worked best for us.

I found this interesting:

"Her theory, like a related one called therapeutic deception, was not without its critics. The main objection is that it condones lying. The British Alzheimer’s Society has said that “we struggle to see how systematically deceiving someone with dementia can be part of an authentic trusting relationship.” Others argue that lying, or accepting a patient’s delusion as reality, is justified when it is in the patient’s best interest."

The above was mom's gut reaction, and I can't stress sufficiently how spectacularly it backfired.

mommyandme (m&m)

Thanks HB! Therapeutic deception, therapeutic lies… fiblets. I personally like the term Fiblets, that I learned here. Wish there was a consensus on this strategy. Per this article there’s not, which surprises me. Maybe it’s 50/50 in this forum too? As caregivers, we do what works the best to give our LOs peace and comfort and to keep them safe. Fiblets worked for me and I recommend them without shame.

vtech1951

Am I the only one that after first reading thought the headline said "Norman Fell dead at 91"

No googling if you aleady dont know who this is lol

forbarbara

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/196242#Comment_196242

That’s hilarious!

SusanB-dil

I will stick with the fiblets when needed. For the most part, we are honest with mom and MIL, but when necessary, when a fiblet will calm the situation, I'll take the fiblet over arguments. and can soothe feelings.