I’ve been working on an article about why spiritual care is so helpful for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia … and it’s finally finished!
There are two versions: the first is 2 pages back-to-back, so it’s easy to print as a handout. The second is 4 pages … because I had more to say 🙂
Just click on either image to download the document.
Two-page version:

Four-page version:

I’m indebted to Dave K., a pastoral counselor/chaplain at a memory care residence in Virginia Beach. He sent me a very nice email a couple of weeks ago, which really helped me to focus the title and format:
“I was wondering of you know of an article … to help family members understand the importance of spiritual care for those who have dementia but in an outline form or easy to understand for ‘laymen.’ I have some spouses who are themselves elderly and I wanted a simplified message I could give family members to understand the value of spiritual care with their family members. It needs to be brief … and easy to understand. Something like…’Five ways those with dementia can benefit from spiritual care’ etc.”
I’ve already sent Dave these PDFs, and I hope you find them useful too. If you have more ideas and have seen other benefits, please comment below.
Peace be with you,
Elisa, Great points and action items. Saving these. Do I see the outline for a book? I’m sure you could add real life anecdotes that illustrate these points. Like the Dignity section. Pet peeve of my parents was being spoken to by a 20-yr-old LPN as if my they were a deaf, dumb children. Some places suggest the formal use of surnames and titles (Dr.) unless invited by the resident to use their first name. You know all this. I think you could take this paper further, with amusing and inspiring examples. – Doug
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
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Doug, thank you for the encouragement! I love your idea of adding anecdotes — I write down things like that nearly every day.
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I am really enjoying your bible lessons. The nursing home where I teach sunday school are really enjoying my lessons. You are doing a wonderful job. Th;anks, Joyce Dupree
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Joyce, that’s great to hear! Thanks so much.
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