09. Two Approaches That Can Change Everything

What do you do when the person you love says something that isn't true, and correcting them only makes things worse? In this episode, Lyndal introduces two practical and powerful approaches that can make a big difference for both the person living with dementia, and their families and carers - connection over correction, and validation. Lyndal explains why correction so often backfires — and what to do instead. If you've ever felt lost in one of those difficult conversations, this episode is for you.In this episode:Why our instinct to correct comes from love, and why it so often makes things harderA conversation with a woman whose husband said he was going on a date with a high-school girlfriend and the reframe that changed everythingWhy dementia doesn't just affect memory and what that means for moments of conflictThe nervous system piece that explains why correction can cause distressWhat 'connection over correction' actually looks like in a real conversationThe second approach - validationA simple shift Lyndal made with her own mum that ended a pattern of arguingWhy the pause before you respond might be the most important moment in the whole conversationThe difference between feeling safe and feeling dysregulated, and why it matters for the whole day ahead.Links & ResourcesListen to episode 8 - Dementia & Brain ChangeDementia Doulas AustraliaDementia Support Australia websiteDementia Australia websiteAlzheimer's QueenslandConnect with Lyndal Harris on LinkedInFollow Lyndal on FacebookFollow Lyndal on Instagram