Presbyterian Mission Agency dementia Archives

The Alter program gives churches tools to minister to people living with dementia

Posted June 21st, 2022

Like its name implies, the Alter program was established for predominantly Black churches to help them better minister to their members and friends living with dementia — and for their caregivers, family members and friends as well.

The Alter program gives churches tools to minister to people living with dementia

Posted March 1st, 2022

Like its name implies, the Alter program was established for predominantly Black churches to help them better minister to their members and friends living with dementia — and for their caregivers, family members and friends as well.

Responding to death and end of life issues

Posted October 1st, 2021

A distinguished five-member panel convened by The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary gathered online Thursday to share wisdom about death and end of life issues, particularly in the context of dementia. Dr. Samuel Adams, the Mary Jane and John F. McNair Chair of Bible Studies and Professor of Old Testament at the seminary, was the moderator. Watch the 78-minute discussion here.

Minute for Mission: Caregiver Sunday

Posted October 16th, 2019

As our society continues to age, we hear more and more about the challenges of dementia. There are now about 5 million people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, and that number will grow. Alzheimer’s is one of the most feared medical conditions, and there is still no cure. What starts as forgetfulness becomes increasing disability, disconnection, dependence and death.

Caring for the Caregivers

Posted July 5th, 2019

The Rev. Sharyl Dixon is now in her sixth year serving Kingston Presbyterian Church in Kingston, New Jersey. When she started serving the church — be it visiting the women’s Bible studies or shaking hands at the door after a service — Dixon realized that what she was witnessing, in different forms, was caregiving. For some in her congregation, it was caring for a spouse with dementia. For others, it was caring for ailing parents. For still others, it was caring for children with special needs. Dixon realized there was a need to care for those offering care to others. She began to wonder what might be done.

Honoring a dementia patient’s life

Posted June 16th, 2018

He was a man of few words. My visits often consisted of a monologue I carefully constructed around veiled questions, hoping he would offer up details about his life without getting agitated. But his responses were short — a few words uttered in a deep voice that got louder if he was irritated by the subject matter.

Honrar la vida de un paciente con demencia

Posted June 13th, 2018

Él era un hombre de pocas palabras. Mis visitas a menudo consistían en un monólogo que yo elaboraba cuidadosamente en torno a preguntas veladas, con la esperanza de que él ofreciera detalles de su vida sin agitarse. Pero sus respuestas eran cortas; unas pocas palabras enunciadas con una voz grave que se volvía más fuerte si estaba molesto con el tema.

Honoring a dementia patient’s life

Posted June 13th, 2018

He was a man of few words. My visits often consisted of a monologue I carefully constructed around veiled questions, hoping he would offer up details about his life without getting agitated. But his responses were short — a few words uttered in a deep voice that got louder if he was irritated by the subject matter.