VERA Framework

Validation:
Validation is the act of giving value to a persons behaviour rather than assuming it is
merely a symptom of a degenerative brain condition.
Validation therapy does not attempt to impose a current reality in terms of dates or
times, it is the acceptance of the patient, regardless of behaviour.
It is based on unconditional positive regard.
Emotion:
To develop an emotional response to the patients concerns by paying attention to
the emotional content of the communication, rather than the unintelligible verbal
content.
To try to reach an understanding of how a patient perceives the world, and to avoid
the conflict of insisting that the health professionals view must be accepted.
To accompany understanding with a genuinely felt verbal sentiment.
By Reassurance:
Reassurance is any verbal or non-verbal communication that seeks to reduce a
persons distress by demonstrating kindness and optimism.
Action
The activity should be an attempt to engage the person in a more structured activity
that offers a degree of occupation, so that the patient maintains a sense of
personhood.
After action:
Record positive or negative outcomes
Discuss the effect of the interaction with other members of the team
Moment of reflection on the practitioners and patients responses to the four
elements of the VERA framework.


VALIDATION
EMOTION
REASSURANCE
ACTION