Sharing the Burden of Dementia: A Challenge for Faith Communities
Faith communities have an incredible opportunity to minister to people living with dementia and their care partners. In Galatians 6:2 the Apostle Paul calls us to “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
What better way to live out this calling than to create a welcoming space where people living with dementia and their care partners can worship without fear or shame?
Too often people living with dementia and their care partners withdraw from a faith community because it’s too difficult or stressful to navigate a worship service or large groups of people. With a little bit of education and planning, you can transform your faith community into a welcome haven for people living with dementia.
Steps to Welcoming People Living with Dementia
1. Educate, educate, educate. Many people misunderstand dementia and the toll it takes on the person living with dementia and their care partners. A little bit of education goes a long way in building empathy and compassion. Host a series of educational sessions on a weeknight or during a Sunday morning service. You can access resources online or request a speaker through Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania’s Speaker’s Bureau. If they are comfortable, invite people who are living with dementia and their care partners to talk about their journey.
2. Evaluate your environment. Is your building welcoming to people living with dementia? Is there a quiet place where people can go if the worship service becomes overwhelming? Do signs clearly indicate the location of restrooms? A walk-through of your building with these questions in mind can help you evaluate small changes that can make a huge impact for any guests.
3. Create opportunities to engage. Organize activities that engage people who are living with dementia. Consider shorter, simpler services. Encourage all ability levels when planning special events.
4. Support the care partner. Create a care group that walks alongside the care partner, finding practical ways to carry their burden. For example, the care group could provide respite care, assistance with errands or even a listening ear. If the person living with dementia is homebound or in a memory care community, take turns sitting with that person to participate in church online so the care partner can enjoy going to church in person.
5. Host a Memory Café. Many churches across the country offer Memory Cafés, welcoming social gatherings for people living with memory changes and the people who support them. A Memory Café differs from a support group, which provides resources and structured sharing times. A Memory Café is an informal gathering where people can visit and build relationships.
6. Connect with a Dementia Friendly Community. Dementia Friendly America connects Dementia Friendly Communities across the country to state-level organizations and each other. You can find supportive resources in your local community to help you as you walk this journey to becoming a dementia friendly faith community.
If you would like assistance in helping your church or synagogue become a dementia friendly faith community, contact ForgeWorks for more information.
Further Resources
Dementia Friendly America offers practical steps and advice for faith communities interested in implementing dementia friendly practices. A resource guide is available here.
The Faith United Against Alzheimer’s Coalition is a diverse, interfaith, national coalition of clergy, faith leaders, laity and faith-based organizations advocating for dementia friendly faith communities across the country. The organization’s website provides resources that may be helpful to your faith community.
Melody Karick, dementia educator and consultant for ForgeWorks, developed the organization’s proprietary dementia training, Challenges 2 Solution. She uses this interactive training to help businesses, churches, municipalities, first responders and families serve people living with dementia. Her certifications include Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner, Personal Care Health Administrator, Virtual Dementia Tour Certified Trainer and Positive Approach to Care. In addition, Melody leads Dementia Friendly Lancaster, a group of devoted community members, organizations and faith-based leaders as well as those who have been touched by dementia.
