Implementation of the validation method: Nurses' descriptions of caring relationships with residents with dementia disease

Abstract

This study describes nurses’ experiences of relationships with residents with dementia disease (1) before and after validation method (VM) training and (2) after extensive experience using the VM. An intervention was performed in a nursing home, involving supervision plus one year of training in using the VM. Nurses were interviewed before and after the intervention. Nurses with extensive VM experience, working at another nursing home, were interviewed once. Qualitative content analysis of the transcribed interviews revealed four themes with sub-themes. Most nurses participating in the intervention described a changed approach afterwards, focusing more on residents and on their communications, which in turn seemed to lead to closer, more trusting relationships. A similar approach was described by the nurses with extensive VM experience. One conclusion is that supervised VM training facilitated nurses’ development of communication skills and abilities to establish close relationships with residents. Some nurses described the VM as demanding.