Welcome!

You will find here all the information you need to register in the Naomi Feil Validation workshop, May 3, and in the celebration of Naomi’s 80^th birthday, May 4.  Given the thousands of workshops Naomi’s done over these years, around the world, consider yourself part of a very special event. Naomi’s daughter, Vicki deKlerk-Rubin, also a leader in Validation and an author, will be with Naomi in the workshop. Welcome to the celebration!

These events are sponsored by the North American Validation Associated (NAVA). NAVA promotes the development and use of the Validation method in North America. NAVA teaches senior care workers and family members how to more effectively communicate with older people who have dementia. This communication brings respect, dignity, and trusted companionship to the elderly in their dementia journey.

Validation workshop with Naomi Feil
For caregivers and families of persons with dementia

Naomi Feil leads a compelling and inspiring day-long workshop on Validation communication. This workshop has a unique end-of-the-day component: a panel of Validation practitioners who have successfully introduced Validation to their facilities.

Thursday, May 3, 2012, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Naomi's 80th Birthday Semi-Formal Gala

This event will be a memorable celebration of Naomi Feil’s 80th birthday! Through videocasting, the global Validation community will join in honoring Naomi and acknowledging the contribution Validation is making around the world.

Friday, May 4, 2012, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

More Information

• Who is Naomi Feil?
• What is Validation?
• Full Schedule of Events

Who is Naomi Feil?

Naomi Feil, M.S., A.C.S.W. is the developer of Validation.

After graduating with a Master's degree in social work from Columbia University, she began working with the elderly. Between 1963 and 1980, Naomi developed Validation as a response to her dissatisfaction with traditional methods of working with severely disoriented old-old people.

Naomi has had a global impact; there are Authorized Validation Organizations in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, as well as three in the United States: Country Meadows, PA; Volunteers of America, AZ, CO, and MN; and Sunrise Senior Living, VA.

What is Validation?

Validation is a caregiving method for communicating with disoriented elderly through empathetic connection. Created and developed by Naomi Feil, Validation improves the quality of life of the elderly by

• Reducing stress,
• Enhancing dignity, and
• Increasing happiness.

The Validation worker tunes into the person's inner world, helping him or her restore the past.

Caregiving staff trained in the Validation method of communication experience increased energy and greater job satisfaction, and facilities with Validation-trained staff have high retention rates.

Worldwide, there are three Validation associations: Validation Training Institute (VTI), based in Cleveland, OH; European Validation Association (EVA), based in Strasbourg, France; and North American Validation Association (NAVA), based in Hershey, PA. North American Validation Association is  the sponsor for these events May 3 and May 4. NAVA's 2nd Annual meeting will be Thursday, May 3, at 5:30 p.m (with supper) at the Eagan Community Center.

Full Schedule of Events

Wednesday, May 2, 2012: Informal Reception

There will be an evening reception as people arrive in the area.

Thursday, May 3, 2012: Workshop and NAVA meeting

8:30 - 9:00: Registration

9:00 - 10:30:

• Role Play: The four stages in the Resolution vs Vegetation stage
• Characteristics of Phase 1 (Malorientation)
• Film/video: Age-Specific Behavior Principles of Validation
• Exercise: Validation Techniques
• Film/video: Looking for Yesterday

10:30 - 10:45: Break

10:45 - 12:30:

• Characteristics of Phase 2 (Time Confusion)
• Why you don't lie: Validation principle

12:30 - 1:15: Lunch provided

1:15 - 3:00:

• Film/video: Communicating with Alzheimer-type Populations
• Role Play: Verbal Validation Techniques
• "Preferred Sense" and "Polarity"
• Erikson's life stage theory

3:00 - 3:15: Break

3:15 - 4:00:

• Nonverbal Validation Techniques for Phase 2 (Time Confusion), Phase 3 (Repetitive Motion), Phase 4 (Vegetation)
• Touch

4:00 - 5:00: Panel: Establishing Validation in Senior Care Faclilities

5:30 - 10:00: NAVA 2nd Annual Meeting  

Friday, May 4, 2012: Naomi's 80th Birthday Semi-Formal Gala, 1:00 - 5:00PM

The birthday celebration includes a reception followed by a two-way conversation via videocasting between Naomi and Validation practitioners around the world.

Following this exchange, a celebration program will be broadcast from Eagan to the global Validation community. Information on signing up and receiving the broadcast will be available at www.vfvalidation.org. This program will include Naomi sharing her experience establishing Validation over the years and around the world. The afternoon concludes with an early dinner (complete with birthday cake and a toast!) at 4 p.m.

For those who are interested, the celebration will continue with a night on the town (this optional event is not included in the registration fee).