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DEMENTIA & THE
LOCAL CHURCH
Presentation by Roger Hitchings
IMPORTANCE OF SUBJECT
Many people feel fear and anxiety about Dementia
• Dementia is a reality
820,000 dementia sufferers in UK.
 550,000 caregivers.

• Affects many people through family or friends
• The Local Church has a responsibility
Be informed - ensure one person has good level of knowledge.
 Be involved – Galatians 6:2 & 10 - much good to be done.
 Be practical – support sufferer and carer alike.
 Be spiritual – address spiritual issues as well.

REINFORCING DUTY
• A duty to be kind to needy people - “whoever is kind to
the needy honours God” (Prov.14:31)
• A duty to promote their interests - “Speak up for those
who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who
are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights
of the poor and needy.” (Prov. 31:8-9)
• A duty to serve them - “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell
you, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40)
• A duty and blessing to help – “God is not unjust; he will
not forget your work and the love you have shown him as
you have helped his people and continue to help them”
(Heb. 6:10)
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term that refers to a
condition that results from organic/neurological
damage to the brain.
It is a PHYSICAL condition which has nearly 100
different causes including Alzheimer’s Disease,
stroke, head trauma, metabolic disorders etc.
 Also related to alcohol abuse, aids, downs syndrome
Our concern is with people not simply a condition.
CAUSES OF DEMENTIA
Alzheimer’s Disease (62%)
Vascular Dementia
(17%)
Dementia with
Lewy Bodies
(4%)
Other Causes
(3%)
Mixed
(10%)
Frontotemporal
Dementia (2%)
COULD IT BE DEMENTIA?
• Memory loss – often the initial indicator.
 Not all memory loss is dementia (mild cognitive impairment).
• Depression - can be like Dementia – can be associated with
Dementia – increased anxiety levels.
• Lost ability to do familiar tasks - looking after oneself.
• Language problems – losing words – losing thread of a
conversation – repetition of things said.
• Inability to make decisions - loss of confidence.
• Mood swings – unexpected changes – out of character.
• Disorientation – place and time - sense of dislocation.
• Struggling to assimilate new facts - unable to engage in
abstract reasoning – difficulty in following conversations.
• Apathy and sleepiness.
DIAGNOSIS
• Early diagnosis is very important.
 People are often reluctant to consider possibility – fear, denial and
stigma hinder action.
• Proper diagnosis is vital.
 There are other conditions which have similar symptoms to
Dementia in early stages – ranging from chest and urinary
infections to brain tumours.
• Diagnosis is a process – GP will send to Old Age
Psychiatrist or Memory Clinic.
• Diagnosis is the first step – enables changes to be
made in lifestyle – learning to live with Dementia.
MORE ABOUT DEMENTIA
• Exact causes are still not known – genes are not as
important as ‘gene expression’.
• Prevention – lots of advice around – exercise, diet, physical
stimulation, intellectual activity, involvement with others etc.
 Avoid stress!!
• Difficult decisions may follow – lifestyle changes may
include driving, cooking, practical tasks, finances etc.
• Changes in the home – especially with safety in mind.
• Discus wherever possible – avoid humiliating – recognise
limitations.
• Challenging behaviour – often a cause – sometimes go with
flow.
• The Person remains – though hidden by the disease.
AFTER DIAGNOSIS
• Many dementias are slow in development. Rate of
progressions varies with each person.
 Can be delayed by medication but not yet prevented
• Treat depression – don’t live with it
• Much useful and effective living possible - Contented
dementia is a real possibility.
 Relationship/care approach – maximising person’s skills and
remaining faculties.
• Three stages in development – stages not watertight:
Early - uncertainty and anxiety.
Moderate – increased confusion and losses.
Advanced – full assistance; physical frailty etc.
LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
It is possible to continue to live normally for some time:
• Acceptance & Cooperation – involves seeking diagnosis,
developing understanding condition.
• Avoid isolation - dropping out to avoid embarrassment - share
needs with the church family – be involved with others attend worship.
• Adapting – focus on what you can do rather than what you have
lost - change patterns of living – emphasising abilities.
• Activities – areas of interest and activity to keep mind and body
functioning – “ordinary” groups and “specialist activities”.
• Adjusting – “dancing with dementia” – making changes to life
patterns as disease progresses.
 Prepare for the future – but live in the present.
 Build a life - story contact with past – help to supporters.
Local Church
Responses
• Value of being aware – encourage in necessary steps
• an advocate – church understanding – constant prayer for grace.
• Visiting and keeping in touch – personal involvement –
relationships that allow respite time to caregiver.
• Doing practical things – be available to caregiver – negotiate
level of support.
• Encourage participation in “ordinary” worship - level of
involvement will decrease as disease develops
 Church must be ready to accommodate changing behaviours and
even adapt to allow participation.
 Support group can play vital role in helping in times of worship
 Special services and communion may prove useful.
 CD’s not over helpful to caregiver or sufferer.
Ministering to
Sufferers
• Remember each person is unique and made in God’s
image – “focus on the person not the disease”
 Person centred care - relates to the individual and retains the
‘personhood’. Remember their core beliefs, values, significant events
• Communication is possible and vital – just do it – Scripture and
hymns minister – spiritual life still exists.
• Be appropriate to the condition – learn from caregiver and
sufferer.
• Be patient – love the person – feel the frustration and pain
• Treat with integrity and respect at all times – Leviticus 19:32
• Bring God’s truth to bear – in encouragement – speak of the cross,
grace and heaven
• Rementing – spontaneous intermittent remissions when the person
reappears – hymns and Scripture verses
• There is full relief in heaven
THINK ABOUT THE CAREGIVER
• Many negative emotions and considerable demands
 Facing continuing losses – in sufferer and own life
 Sad over situation grieving in advance
• “Role captivity” – loss of social contacts and other roles
• Depression, frustration, anger – counter emotions in care
receiver
• Inadequacy and fear – guilt and self-blame
• Personal health seriously affected – 63% higher death rate
– important that caregiver attends to their own health needs
• Spiritual decline and losses – neglected by friends
• Need for help and support – appropriate and consistent
• Value of respite care – dementia is a physical illness.
SPIRITUAL Needs of
caregivers
• Ministry of God’s Word and Christian fellowship
• Empathy and compassion – acknowledgement of their losses
 Reassurance and encouragement about their role
• Relief - Human contact and opportunity to be away from caring
• Reminding of spiritual truths - 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews
13:5-6; Psalm 38:9-11.
• Encouragement – support in learning the facts and facing the
future - Romans 8:28, 32 & 37
• The support and prayers of fellow Christians
CLOSING SUMMARY
• Dementia is a physical illness that affects the
brain.
• Good care that focuses on the person can help
hold the person together.
• Nurturing the spiritual life is essential – even in
non-Christians ministering spiritual truth and love
is VITAL.
• Churches have a major role to play in caring for
the sufferer and supporting the caregiver.