stage: 2

Three principles that experienced carers come back to again and again — and why they work

The three principles most widely cited as golden rules in dementia care are: first, never argue or try to correct the person, as this causes unnecessary distress; second, enter their reality rather than trying to drag them back to yours, meaning you validate their experience even if it does not match the facts; and third, focus on emotions rather than content, responding to how the person is feeling rather than the literal accuracy of what they are saying. These principles sit at the heart of person-centred dementia care as developed by Professor Tom Kitwood. They recognise that the emotional experience of the person with dementia is always valid and real, even when their perception of the world has become significantly altered by the disease.