A patient diagnosed with severe dementia no longer recognizes family members and becomes anxious and agitated when they attempt reorientation. Which alternative could the nurse suggest to the family members?

A) Wear large name tags.
B) Focus interaction on familiar topics.
C) Frequently repeat the reorientation strategies.
D) Strategically place large clocks and calendars.

Reorientation may seem like arguing to a patient experiencing cognitive deficits and increases the patient's anxiety. Validating, talking with the patient about familiar, meaningful things, and reminiscing give meaning to existence both for the patient and family members. The option that suggests using validating techniques when communicating is the only option that addresses an interactional strategy. Wearing large name tags and strategically placing large clocks and calendars are reorientation strategies. Frequently repeating the reorientation strategies is inadvisable; patients with dementia sometimes become more agitated with reorientation.