Using lie telling as an effective intervention to support personhood in people with moderate to severe dementia

Collaboration: RCN Learning Disability Forum and Neuroscience Forum

People are very quick to deny, or discount lie-telling as an intervention, however as professional caregivers we should consider whose truth is the most important. Why should we enforce our truth onto a person who believes something else? To enter the other person's reality is far more likely to support personhood and sustain positive relationships, even if we then consider ourselves to be lying. Motivation and genuineness are the key elements of interaction, not content.

Attendees will be invited to look at lie-telling through a different lens and reflect and consider their own values and beliefs around telling lies to people with moderate to severe dementia.

The session is aimed at all delegates who support people with moderate to severe dementia, in any setting.