Therapeutic Fibbing: Lying Isn't Always a Bad Thing

Therapeutic Fibbing: Lying Isn’t Always A Bad Thing

Honesty is the best policy. But what if the person you are talking to is experiencing a completely different reality due to the effects of chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia? Therapeutic fibbing is a technique that many care experts employ to reduce unnecessary stress and confusion in their residents’ lives.

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ENSURE THE MEMORY CARE RESIDENTS ARE GETTING THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE?

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Most people can’t handle the truth, and processing the facts becomes even more difficult for assisted living seniors experiencing chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Even without diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, the truth is sometimes unbearable. We see this played out with the many men and women who thrive off people that feed their egos or have an unhealthy addiction to flattery.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Instead of hearing the unbearable facts and constructive criticism, we condition ourselves for therapeutic fibbing. Fibbing to individuals helps them cope with their reality. However, outright lying is unhealthy and poses many risk factors. RAL caregivers must recognize the difference between therapeutic fibbing and unprofessional lying.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

WHAT IS THERAPEUTIC FIBBING?

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Therapeutic fibbing is a reliable way to engage seniors by stepping into their reality. It is a responsible method of agreeing or replying with responses that are not completely true to avoid causing distress. The goal of therapeutic fibbing is to say things that make seniors feel safe and comforted. Consider the example of one friendly co-worker. Therapeutic fibbing is similar to telling a co-worker that you love the thoughtful gift they gave you, even though you do not. The truth of the matter is you might appreciate the thoughtful gesture more than the gift itself. So, instead of responding with cruelty and criticism, you react with kindness and gratitude. Telling the absolute truth, in that case, doesn’t change the situation – it would only hurt your co-worker’s feelings.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]While therapeutic fibbing will pose a variety of different scenarios in residential assisted living homes, the friendly co-worker example is the same principle. Gently going along with their reality and using secondary distractions will help foster a functional atmosphere. Unlike when people lie, professionals exercising therapeutic fibbing are not seeking to deceive or manipulate, but rather to avoid unnecessary distress. This method is especially effective amongst individuals with chronic neurodegenerative diseases.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

THERAPEUTIC FIBBING VS. LYING

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Is honesty the best policy? Not always, especially not when it comes to seniors coping with chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Individuals with such diseases experience a different version of reality based on how severely their brains are impacted. Dementia damages the brain. It causes a progressive decline in a person’s ability to understand and process basic information, the concept of time, and everyday activities. Attempting to force these individuals to abandon their version of reality can cause unwanted meltdowns.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Confusion, emotional pain, anxiety, fear, and anger causes people that are diagnosed with dementia to avoid engaging in real-world experiences. This is why therapeutic fibbing is strongly encouraged by dementia care experts. Some RAL caregivers might initially feel like they are lying to the residents. However, therapeutic fibbing empowers you to engage their current reality and avoid unnecessary upsets and prolonged periods of distress. These little white lies help. They validate the feelings of residents suffering from dementia and they have no malicious intent. Otherwise, caregivers run the risk of substituting cruelty with comfort and assurance.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

SOMETIMES THE TRUTH IS COLD, CRUEL AND UNNECESSARY

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Most adults remember the fictional childhood story of Pinocchio, a wooden puppet who dreamed of becoming a real boy. He is known for his frequent tendency to lie, which causes his nose to grow. The novel evolved into a cultural icon, adapted as a Disney film, reminding children of the consequences of lying. Children are often taught at an early age that lying is bad and disrespectful, especially dishonesty to their elders. This lifelong reinforced moral standard is why many RAL caregivers wrestle with the reality of therapeutic fibbing, even amongst residents diagnosed with dementia. However, there is proven research that shows why therapeutic fibbing works.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

5 Facts About the Truth In Dementia Care

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

  1. Causes unnecessary distress
  2. Often misunderstood
  3. Difficult to process
  4. Will soon be forgotten
  5. Does more harm than good

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Unfortunately, telling the truth to seniors with memory loss can be devastating, and causes them to relive past traumas and tragedies. The truth can be especially devastating about emotional subjects, but equally as disturbing about trivial circumstances. Dementia prevents people from properly processing and retaining information. It is important to remember that assisted living memory care residents will probably forget the conversation altogether.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]As a result, after experiencing a breakdown or misunderstanding from hearing the truth, they will soon not remember what you said anyway – the truth will be soon forgotten. In this case, the truth does more harm than good. Telling the truth each time forces them to experience fresh distress over and over again. This repeated cycle would be cruel and vicious, and this is why caregivers are encouraged to use the practice of therapeutic fibbing.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

THE TRUTH ABOUT RALNA TIPS FOR SENIOR CARE

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]RALNA is a membership-based organization providing resources and support to the residential assisted living industry. The membership grants you access to group purchasing power, discounts with over 200 RAL vendors, legal advocacy, industry marketing, educational services, memory care training, certifications, marketing, and relevant newsletters.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Joining www.RALNA.com is a critical choice to fuel your business to move forward faster. RALNA is the only national association for care-home-owners and RAL industry affiliates. The organization publishes need-to-know hot topics and pro-tips to highlight trending data. It is America’s premier and unparalleled RAL source empowering owners and operators to employ best practices.

What are you doing to ensure the memory care residents are getting the best care possible?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_separator css_animation=”fadeIn” type=”normal” color=”#eaeaea”][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”99″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_column_text]

If you found the information on this article valuable, you’ll find enormous benefits by becoming a member of our community. Visit this page to become a RALNA Member.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Experience the Impact of the National Association

RAL Success Starter Packet

A collection of resources to help the residential assisted living professional maximize profitability and elevate care. Get this free packet which includes instruction related to Dealing with HOAs, Memory Care, Senior Health and Wellness, RAL Marketing, Home Tours, and Dementia.

What You Do for Seniors Matters

This packet is filled with practical and actionable steps to help you do good and do well. Where should we send your copy?