In honor of Labor Day, this video version of a nondenominational church service focuses on the theme of work. It's designed for elders with Alzheimer's and other dementias to enjoy a familiar worship experience: lots of sing-along hymns, scriptures, and more -- but of course anyone may enjoy it. Similar to my other YouTube church … Continue reading Dementia-friendly worship service: Work
Often, when I tell elders that I’m a chaplain, the first thing they want to know is “who are you with?” They mean church. It’s a natural question, especially for the senior generation, who grew up with clear categories of religious denominations (Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, etc.). Without making a short story long: … Continue reading What does it mean to be a chaplain?
It bears repeating: People with dementia aren’t “done.” They have led productive, valuable lives, and often they still love to help in whatever way they can—it's part of the human desire to feel needed and useful. "Letting" them help isn't about busywork, and your elder's usefulness isn't a fiction; tasks actually do need to be done, and … Continue reading How to help a person with Alzheimer’s feel useful
Spiritual Eldercare 