Next Sunday, March 24, begins the most serious and the most joyful week in the Christian faith. It’s called Holy Week, or Passion Week, and it starts with Palm Sunday.

To help you prepare to serve your elders during this special time, I’m posting the interactive, dementia-friendly resources for Passion Week a couple of weeks early.

These are all slightly updated for 2024 and are suitable for older adults with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Palm Sunday: March 24

• Palm Sunday video church service (42 minutes). If possible, purchase fresh or artificial palm fronds; give one to each elder (as appropriate) before the service begins.
• Palm Sunday written church service agenda, if you’d like to provide the service yourself.

Maundy Thursday (The Last Supper): March 28

• Bible study discussion video (18 minutes, designed for a 30-40 minute discussion). This looks at Luke 22, the story of Jesus’ Last Supper, and includes a celebration of communion, the symbol of the Last Supper. (Learn more about serving communion to elders with dementia.)
• Maundy Thursday Bible study written guide.

Good Friday: March 29

• Good Friday video church service (30 minutes) and optional accompanying special hymnal.
• Good Friday written church service agenda and accompanying hymnal.
  •  Note: Please use care if you use this service for elders with dementia. Although many elders appreciate it, the topic (Jesus’ death) may upset others. Stay with your elders in the room if possible, and skip or modify the scripture readings if you notice any agitation. 

Easter Sunday: March 31 

• Easter playlist: This is the easiest way to show the YouTube Easter video church service and have it followed immediately by the Hallelujah chorus. (Otherwise you’ll have to find and start the Hallelujah Chorus separately.) 
• Standalone Easter video church service (43 minutes) and optional accompanying special hymnal. (If you haven’t used the playlist, at the very end of this video you can click on the thumbnail image to play the Hallelujah Chorus — though you may be interrupted by ads.)
• Standalone Hallelujah Chorus sing-along video. This recording, used by permission, is a separate video to honor the copyright. Encouraging people to sing along makes for a rousing ending to the Easter service! I
• Easter written church service agenda and accompanying hymnal.

I hope these resources bring blessing to you and your elders as you reflect, remember, and celebrate this Holy Week.

Peace be with you,

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash