Ministry to Dementia Patients

• Dementia is the umbrella term for a set of symptoms related to a decline in thinking skills. This decline is caused by the gradual loss of functioning of brain cells.

• Alzheimer’s disease is a leading cause of dementia, but dementia can be caused by other conditions such as a series of strokes or Parkinson’s disease.

What Are Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease?

• Our general population is aging. • According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 10% of

people over age 65 and up to half of those over 85 will suffer some form of dementia.

• Spiritual support is important to both the afflicted and the people who care about the afflicted.

• Quite a few of the people in long-term care will likely experience or display symptoms of some stage of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Statistics

• In the early stage of dementia, people with the disease may not remember what happened yesterday—or even half an hour ago because recent memory is impaired.

• They may forget the names of people who should be familiar to them.

• It will be increasingly difficult for them to follow conversations, so they may become quieter.

• They often attempt to hide their confusion and their forgetfulness because they are embarrassed.

• Sometimes they have a change in personality as their confusion makes them angry or tearful.

Early Stage Dementia

• In the second stage of dementia, memory loss worsens. • They may have something to say, but cannot find the

words to say it. • Or the words may come out in a jumble that cannot be

understood by others even though they know what they want to impart.

• The person with dementia may not know where they are or what season it is.

• People with dementia often become fearful, anxious, or angry.

Second Stage Dementia

• In this stage of dementia they often become disoriented, have trouble learning new information.

• They may forget how to do the things they have done for many years—such as drive a car, cook a meal or, eventually, even how to feed themselves.

• They may also become paranoid and suspicious of people—they will often misplace items and accuse others of taking them.

Second Stage Dementia (Cont.)

• Last Stage Dementia patients speak very little and have little comprehension of what others say.

• They need to be bathed, fed, and toileted. • Near the end, they will be bedridden and, for the

most part, unresponsive. • However, the comfort of someone’s presence and

the sound of music may be meaningful even at the end.

Last Stage Dementia

• People with dementia may forget your visit fifteen minutes after you have left. They may not even remember that you talked with them.

• They will not be able to explain what they feel, but research has shown that ministry to people with dementia increases their sense of well-being.

Sense of Well-Being

There are many helpful hints to having an effective visit with someone with dementia:• Always introduce yourself and explain why you are there.• Speak distinctly and not too rapidly but never in a condescending

manner.• Call them by their name only - “Jim”, “Mr. Jim” or “Mr. Smith” for

example.• Don’t ask if they remember you—even if you’ve been coming for years.

– They might remember the feeling of being with someone nice, but they

probably will not remember your name or face, especially in the mid-to-late stages of the disease. They may become upset or embarrassed if you put them on the spot with “you remember me, don’t you?”

• Be aware of their hearing level and adjust your voice accordingly.

Need To Know Information

• Although they may seem child-like in many ways, people with dementia are usually aware that they are adults and they need to be treated as such.

• Talking down to them or using terms such as “baby” or “sweetie” is demeaning no matter what their stage of dementia.

• They may have a disease that has taken much of their memory, but they have been an employee, parent, sibling, and friend.

• They’ve paid bills, worried about their families, worked in the yard, gone shopping—just as you have.

• They don’t need to be babied, they need to be respected.

Maintain A Sense of Respect

• Avoid using too many pronouns—they may get lost in the “he” and “she’s.”

• It’s better to overdo first names or say “the pastor” or “that lady in red” and so on to identify people rather than using too many confusing pronouns.

Clarity of Speech Is Essential

• Smile and look friendly. • Humor is helpful, and it is as beneficial for them to laugh

as it is for us. • Touch is frequently welcome, but don’t surprise them

with a sudden touch, or by coming up from behind them. • Look for cues that they want to shake hands or have their

arm patted or need a hug. • Above all, the visit should be upbeat and positive. • They will receive no benefit from a “fire and brimstone”

message when they suffer from this illness.

Positive Approach

• People with dementia are often sensitive to the moods of people around them.

• Even though they may not understand the reasons behind an uncomfortable atmosphere, they are still likely to be affected by it.

• They may become agitated, fearful, or sad if the people around them are feeling angry or upset.

Special Sensitivity

• Never take it personally if the person with dementia is rude or walks away or even becomes angry during a visit.

• We cannot know what thoughts, memories, or fears enter into the mind of the person with dementia.

• They often cannot explain that they are in pain, are hot or cold, or need to go to the bathroom.

• If they display agitation or anger, simply stop what you are doing, and speak in a soothing tone of voice or just visit them later or on another day.

Emotions Are Often the Only Language

• Even when the person with dementia has excellent eyesight, the large, bold print is less confusing and easier for them to interpret.

• Short sentences and the use of few pronouns also help them follow the ideas in the text and in conversation.

• Many pictures used in books of interests are familiar to patients with dementia.

Large Print Materials

• Elderly persons with dementia with a faith background rooted in the Judeo-Christian worldview are often able to respond to various rituals of their faith, verbally, physically, and emotionally.

• Common practices like familiar prayers, Bible readings, hymns, and attendance at worship services where collective memory is shared can serve as memory joggers to reconnect the person, not only to the faith community, but to a faithful God.

• A spiritual care ministry to older people with dementia can be considered a ministry of memory.

Ministry of Memory

SourceThis presentation has drawn information from the article “How to Have Effective

Ministry Visitation With Dementia Patients” by Diana L. Walters, Dphil.

The original article may be found on the website www.alzheimersministry.org