READ THESE FIRST:
Why — and How — to Lead a Memory-Care Worship Service
SEC Worship Services: FAQ and Best Practices
Advent and Christmas
Church celebrations for elders with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, from the first Sunday of Advent through Christmas Eve and Epiphany.
Hymns and Services on YouTube
Videos of 80+ dementia-friendly hymns with lyrics, plus numerous, full-length nondenominational church services.
Large-Print Hymnals
Ready-to-print, large-font songbooks for the classic hymns and spirituals, with or without page numbers.
Lent and Easter
Services from Ash Wednesday through Easter and Pentecost, designed especially for elders with dementia.
Themes
Numerous nondenominational services on biblical themes such as loyalty, friendship, wisdom, faith, and family.
U.S. Holidays
Church services related to federal and common holidays, such as Mother’s and Father’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.
Browse Services Alphabetically
Advent: Epiphany (Gifts)
Ash Wednesday Preparation (if not celebrating on Wednesday)
Change (Transfiguration Sunday)
Compassion (Mother Teresa’s birthday, Aug. 26)
Creation (Season of Creation, Sept. 1 – Oct. 4)
Dignity (Black History Month)
Discovery (Columbus Day / Indigenous People’s Day)
Gratitude (Thanksgiving)
Honor (Veterans’ Day)
July 4 (Security; U.S. Independence Day)
Justice (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday)
Lent 1: Repentance and Forgiveness
Sacrifice (Memorial Day / Remembrance Day)
Security (July 4, U.S. Independence Day)
Service (Christ the King Sunday)
Treasure (Chinese New Year)
Work (Labor Day / International Workers Day)
Nondenominational Worship Service: Items You May Want to Use
Links below are simply to give you an idea of what I’m talking about; I am not endorsing any particular brand or product.
- Raised bedside table to serve as an “altar.”
- Colored cloth (to cover the table) that corresponds to a liturgical calendar; typically, that means green for Ordinary Time, white or purple for Christmas, purple or red for Lent, and so on.
- Freestanding, unbreakable cross (i.e., metal or wood).
- Traditional-looking Bible.
- Electric candles (I use votive size so they don’t overwhelm the table).
- Bluetooth speaker to amplify the hymn recordings (I have the recordings on my iPhone).
- Copies of lyrics to create a songbook for whatever hymns you choose.
- Small singing bowl for end of service (closing blessing).
Spiritual Eldercare 