Aging with dementia requires understanding

ALLEN—Ministry to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia begins with remembering they are people who still have God’s Spirit residing within them, a Baylor University professor insisted.

Dennis Myers, a professor of social work with an emphasis in gerontology, led a breakout session at First Baptist Church in Allen as part of the National Boomer Ministry Conference.

By 2050, an estimated 11 million to 18.5 million people in the United States will have dementia, he said, underscoring the need for ministry.

Myers’ awareness of the subject goes beyond merely academic interest. He and his wife, Melissa, have been directors of the Sunday school department for the oldest adults at Waco’s First Baptist Church of Woodway more than 30 years.

The church plans to start a family caregivers support ministry “where with intentionality we reach out to caregivers in our congregation and do what we can to come alongside them,” he said.

The church also has presented workshops for people who think they may become caregivers, to help them understand what to expect.

An early-stage Alzheimer’s group also will begin meeting next February.

Many people just don’t want to deal with dementia

Many people just don’t want to deal with dementia, he admitted. Many victims not only suffer memory loss, but also undergo unpleasant personality changes.

“It’s easy to do ministry with nice, but we don’t have nice because of the devastating effects of this illness,” Myers said.

Because people don’t understand the changes they see or perhaps fear the changes, many don’t know how to respond, so they just avoid the person, he said.

He noted stories of people with Alzheimer’s being asked not to return to church because they were disruptive.

“I’m not an idiot. I know there are challenges. People lose impulse control. Dementia is development in reverse. We make all sorts of accommodation for children. We understand when they cry out. But when adults cry out, we’re devastated. We’re scared to death,” Myers said.

Caregivers

Much of a congregation’s ministry dealing with Alzheimer’s will be directed toward caregivers.

“Caregivers are in grief. We have GriefShare (recovery support groups) for those who have lost a loved one, but what about when you are losing a spouse?” he asked.

“Caregivers are three times more likely to be depressed than the person for which they are caring.”

They often lose the relationships and support of their church, because they no longer are able to attend Sunday school or services.

“It’s like having a 2-year-old again. You don’t know if you leave them for a minute what might happen. It’s a 24/7 experience,” Myers pointed out.

Faith is important

A recent study—“Is God the rock? Spirituality, faith and mild Alzheimer’s disease”—drew some conclusions that have implications for ministry:

• Spirituality and faith are important to people with early-stage dementia and can aid in their adaptation to the diagnosis.

• People with early-stage dementia rely on lifelong patterns of religious/spiritual beliefs and practices to cope with living with dementia.

• People with dementia remain committed to and have a desire for involvement in their religious communities.

• However, cognitive decline may serve as a barrier in doing so, as can lack of education on the part of the congregation.

Answers to specific questions showed almost 80 percent looked for a stronger connection with God after their diagnosis. Almost 96 percent said their illness did not cause them to question God’s love for them.

“Does this sound like people who have given up on faith? It does not,” Myers asked and answered.

The Spirit remains

Even when the cognitive disability becomes greater, “the truth is, the Spirit lives on,” he pointed out.

“It’s a little different because the person’s thinking part is withering away, but the Spirit remains, and that’s what we’re trying to connect with,” Myers said.

The loss of cognition affects how even Christians see the person.

“For some, it’s like they lose their personhood. It’s almost as if they don’t matter anymore. They have the Spirit of God in them. That’s what we believe, isn’t it? Does dementia take away the work of the Spirit? No, it doesn’t. The Spirit remains. That’s why our congregations are equipped uniquely to reach out to them—because we believe in that idea,” Myers said.

“God does not forget a person with dementia, so we should not forget a person with dementia.”