Faith and Health Partnerships Monthly | |
Our core belief: Drawing on the wisdom of our religious traditions and the best social and public health science, we believe that positive, mutual relationships and the intentional practice of faith are at the heart of what creates equitable health and well-being for individuals, congregations and communities. | |
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month | | |
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Welcome to the June 2023 issue of Faith and Health Partnerships Monthly, a resource toolkit for faith leaders.
This month, we offer information and tips to help you support your members living with memory loss and their caregivers. This issue includes information on:
- Supporting the spiritual life of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Creating a welcoming environment
- Caregiver support ideas
- Brain health resources
If you have questions or topic ideas for future issues, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!
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Supporting the spiritual life of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia | |
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According to UsAgainstAlzheimer's, "Faith is integral to how individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease cope with the tremendous uncertainty, decline and loss that invariably accompanies this disease. In response, many faith communities across the country have implemented creative, meaningful ways to support the spiritual life of these families."
Examples include:
Fully including members with memory loss in the life of the congregation. Doing so can allow them to flourish and feel a sense of purpose in using their skills to help others.
Ask members with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to participate in service projects and congregational events, like study groups, concerts, plays, outings, and preschool programs, or participate in worship by arranging altar flowers, preparing communion elements, handing out bulletins or doing a reading, for example.
“Make maintaining the self-esteem of persons with dementia more important than productivity and make integrating them into the life of the faith community a priority,” writes Jade C. Angelica in her article, Alzheimer's Caring: How Faith Communities Can Serve People with Dementia and Their Families.
Adapting or designing worship services specifically for persons with dementia. Keep services short and simple to help members feel more engaged and better able to concentrate. Use traditional songs, music, spiritual symbols and familiar prayers and scriptures to bring comfort and engage the senses. See other ideas: Dementia-Friendly Worship.
If a member can no longer attend worship or congregational events in person, bring a recording of the service or share an online link if the service was streamed.
Sources: Dementia Friendly America, Act on Alzheimer's, Us Against Alzheimer's
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The Power of Relationships | |
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"Personhood is not defined solely by our corporal bodies or our cognitive abilities, but rather by our relationships with others… If we should forget God, God will not forget us. And if we forget God, our community of faith can remember us to God and bring God’s presence into our lives through means that do not require us to grasp that presence cognitively."
Excerpt from Aging, Dementia, and the Faith Community: Continuing the Journey of Friendship, Author John T. McFadden.
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Creating a welcoming environment for members affected by memory loss | |
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Use dementia-friendly communication skills, like warmly greeting those with memory loss, even if you think they do not remember you. If they seem confused, remind them who you are. Keep communication simple; ask one question at a time. Connect on an emotional level even if the conversation topics shift or do not make sense to you.
Create a dementia-friendly physical space:
- Wear name tags.
- Provide a quiet area where members may go during the service as needed.
- Display signs that clearly identify areas such as restrooms. Use simple images or color-coded signs to help members find their way through the building.
- Assess congregation facilities for safety and accessibility.
- Make sure buildings are well lit.
- Keep the building at an appropriate temperature.
- Have a family/unisex restroom to allow caregivers to assist their loved one.
Sources: Dementia Friendly America, Act on Alzheimer's, Us Against Alzheimer's
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Create a support group in your house of worship or through a cluster of congregations in your community.
Establish a Memory Café, a safe and supportive gathering for persons with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their care partners. Can include time to interact, share concerns, and enjoy fun and engaging activities, like singing, games, art project, or other creative activity.
Offer to help caregivers with errands, chores, and tasks. This can include getting their loved one ready for worship services, arranging transportation, grocery shopping, doing yardwork, and more.
Make sure caregivers are managing their own health care needs. Recognize signs of care partner stress, such as anger, social withdrawal, anxiety about the future, and sleeplessness, and encourage caregivers to seek mental health services if necessary.
Help caregivers create and manage a care plan. Learn more about free care consultations available through the Alzheimer’s Association in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Arrange respite care, so caregivers can run errands, attend to personal needs, or simply enjoy time with a friend. Congregational volunteers can lead art, physical exercise, music, games, and other activities for family members with dementia to enjoy. Learn about respite-care training programs in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Sources: Dementia Friendly America, Act on Alzheimer's, Us Against Alzheimer's
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Dementia Care Partner Support Groups
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Learn how to accompany those impacted by Alzheimer's disease and dementia | |
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Join a training to learn the Companionship Model
Companionship teaches a way for us to be present to each other in times of stress. The approach is rooted in our natural capacities as human beings to be sensitive, compassionate, and concerned. It acknowledges that many times, simple acts of caring by others can carry us through hard times.
As Companions, we learn to care for each other with good boundaries through five basic practices: hospitality, neighboring, journeying side-by-side, listening, and accompaniment.
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A comprehensive & compassionate approach to treating Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia | |
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The physicians and staff at the Advocate Memory Center thoroughly evaluate each patient's unique situation to diagnose the cause of the cognitive changes, develop a care plan and offer guidance and support to the patient and their care partners.
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The neuro specialists at Aurora Health Care offer a wide range of services, from diagnosing patients who are experiencing memory loss, to offering a personalized treatment plan that may include medications, specialized physical, occupation, and speech therapies, and more.
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BrainGuide is a platform offering private memory questionnaires, tailored brain health resources and education in English and Spanish. | |
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Click here to access articles about brain health and other wellness topics from health enews, a news service of Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. | |
Resources for your faith community | | |
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Aging Together. The authors' inclusive vision calls for social institutions, especially faith communities, to build supportive, ongoing friendships that offer hospitality to all persons, regardless of cognitive status. | | | |
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L'Chaim! A simple picture book designed for people living with dementia. Includes imagery that is unique and precious to Jewish life, along with easy-to-read captions in large print. | | |
Jewish Wisdom for Growing Older. Author Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman offers guidance to help readers make greater meaning and flourish amid the challenges of aging. One chapter is titled, "Making sense of dementia's brokenness." | | |
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Live Your Faith. Love Your Community. Donate Blood.
Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care offer numerous opportunities to donate blood throughout the month of June.
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Health observances for June | |
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Faith and Health Partnerships
We work side-by-side with faith communities to promote health equity by mobilizing the transforming power of social connectedness and spiritual wisdom.
Our core belief: Drawing on the wisdom of our religious traditions and the best social and public health science, we believe that positive, mutual relationships and the intentional practice of faith are at the heart of what creates equitable health and well-being for individuals, congregations and communities.
Learn more about our work:
Illinois flyer in English and Spanish
Wisconsin flyer in English and Spanish
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We blend the strengths of Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care with the strengths of your congregation to improve the health of those in your community. | | | | |
