By Peg Cochran
Marketing Communications Manager, Holland Home
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is challenging. Memory loss strips victims of short-term memory, making familiar events and tasks, such as faith-based activities or worship very difficult. However, a strong faith can transcend memory loss, with an adapted approach based on the individual’s abilities.
Discover Strengths
People with memory loss still have the need to be known as a person—to receive self-validation even though suffering from dementia.
“Universal human needs don’t go away with memory loss,” says Joshua Baron, chaplain at Holland Home’s Fulton Manor. “We can communicate God’s love in ways that meet those needs. Discover the individual’s strengths and build on those.”
People who still have the ability to speak can be encouraged to lead prayers, sing hymns or play the piano, if they have retained those skills. Praying for others can engender positive feelings of self-worth.
Communicate Using Strengths
While someone with memory loss might not be able to remember what they ate for breakfast that morning because of the decline in short term memory, long term memories and things learned in the past are often still vivid and able to be recalled.
“You can tap into enduring memories with hymns and prayers learned in childhood, which are still familiar,” said Baron.
Providing a sensory experience, such as holding onto something special during a church service, can also be comforting and tap into old memories.
Attending Church Services
“It is important that those with memory loss have the assurance of God’s love, support for continued prayer and the opportunity to participate in religious services,” said Baron. “Research shows that attending church services has positive benefits for a person’s well-being, even for those with significant dementia.” Being a part of a religious community gives people a sense of belonging, and a feeling that “this is my family”.
If the person with memory loss is not able to attend church services, Baron recommends contacting the church to have a minister or church elder visit so that the person with memory loss can still partake in a service and celebrate communion.
Residential Placement
Sometimes it is not possible to care for a person with memory loss at home, and a residential placement needs to be considered. Baron recommends choosing a faith-based organization.
“Holland Home offers a worship service, Evening Star, which was created specifically for people with dementia and is a strength-based approach to worship,” said Baron.
Evening Star focuses on familiar hymns, prayers and Bible passages.
“At Fulton Manor, we offer two services on Sunday where memory care residents are welcome, and also hold services every Monday on our memory care floors using the Evening Star worship service.”
For more information about memory care at Holland Home, visit hollandhome.org/memory-care or call 616-235-5113.
