Ministry to Alzheimer’s patients demands different approach

With the graying of America, Alzheimer’s patients and their families are a part of virtually every church’s ministry. The question is whether those people will be the part the church ignores or not.

Pat Otwell, who ministered to Alzheimer’s patients in three Paris nursing facilities from 1983 until 1997, has written a book titled Guide to Ministering to Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Families to help pastors with the tools to make the effort.

“Most of us know little, if anything, about Alzheimer’s disease unless we have a reason. My reason was that it became my responsibility and privilege to meet the spiritual needs of these patients and families,” Otwell said.

“It was necessary that I learn how to provide effective Alzheimer’s ministry before I could assist others in doing so. Likewise, this is true for local pastors in helping their congregations.”

Otwell believes many people don’t minister to Alzheimer’s patients because they think little can be done. That is decidedly incorrect, she asserts.

“It’s the simple things that count, such as watching a sunset and marveling at God’s creation, holding a stuffed sheep while listening to the story of the Good Shepherd, repeating a well-known Bible verse or singing a hymn,” Otwell said.

Others believe ministry to Alzheimer’s patients is too difficult, she said.

“It is not difficult, just different than other ministries. Practice is necessary to learn new ways to relate in order to feel comfortable, competent and confident,” Otwell said.

The most important thing is to begin, she said.

“You can read all the books you want to about fishing. You can learn about different lures, water temperatures and everything else about fishing, but if you stop with just reading about fishing, you’ll never catch a fish. It’s the same with Alzheimer’s ministry. You just have to do it, and you’ll learn what you need,” Otwell said.

Need for the ministry is expected to grow. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates 5.2 million Americans currently are afflicted but expects that number to increase to 16 million by 2050.

Ministry to Alzheimer’s patients and their families is not limited to paid staff, Otwell pointed out.

“Clergy alone cannot provide a comprehensive Alzheimer’s ministry. Everyone in the body of Christ has at least one spiritual gift that can be used to edify Alzheimer’s patients and their families. Ministry is a common and unified effort. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something,” she said.

Her book, available on Amazon.com, is not a how-to manual, she cautioned, “because numerous variables do not afford a one-size-fits-all” approach. It is a compilation of her experiences, reading and responses to questionnaires given to family members of patients.

“I believe the key, in a nutshell, to effective Alzheimer’s ministry is to pray for wisdom and guidance, gain an understanding of the disease and the spiritual needs of those affected, and then do what comes naturally. Listen to what patients say and do not say; respond accordingly. Patients should always be treated as adults. Visits should be brief but frequent. Long visits are taxing on patients and, ultimately, ministers,” Otwell said.