On Sunday morning St. Paul's folk lined up after worship to sponsor "the McClelland Clan" in the Alzheimer's Walk for Memories taking place in Oshawa later this month. The response was excellent, and we as a congregation are very fond of this family, including grandfather Bill. Some of us have also got to know grandmother Joan, the person behind this initiative. Over time Joan has moved deeper into dementia, but she is still a person of worth, still exhibiting aspects of her lovely character even as she loses certain abilities.
On Sunday I encouraged everyone's support, commenting that dementia generally and Alzheimer's particularly will become a growing pastoral concern as the general population and church members age. I don't think we're particularly skilled in addressing this medical mystery and I hope we will get better. Increasingly this will be an aspect of our Christian ministry to the elderly.
I'm glad the McClellands are including their three daughters, Joan's grandchildren, because it is a practical way of providing support to the family member they love. There was an article in the New York Times back in November about how South Korean tweens and teens are being taught to be caregivers to dementia patients. They do role plays where some of them take on the characteristics of the elderly patients to get a sense of what they might encounter. What a wise program. This will build compassion and understanding.
I'm also glad that the McClelland's family project reminds us all that those with dementia have names, have personal histories, and are loved and cherished. And someday this could be any of us, and we hope and pray our families show respect and support.
What are your experiences with those living with dementia and Alzheimer's? What do you think about training young people in the practical realities of dementia?
Around 1998, I was appointed as the co-coordinator of all visitations for Queen's students to the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital. What an eye opener that was.
ReplyDeleteIt was deeply saddening to see so many people in the twilight of their lives, unaware of the world around them; unaware even of themselves and their identities. That said, the resilience of family in the face of their new realities was heartening. There they were, painting nails, going for walks and reading to the sufferers, all in the face of the inevitable.
My hat goes off and my heart goes out to Joan and her family. In the mean time, I recall reading of a new hope in fighting AD a couple of weeks ago in the New York Times:
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/closing-in-on-alzheimers-disease/?scp=1&sq=alzheimer's%20disease&st=cse
It is so very important to involve young people in what is happening, not only in their families, but what is happening in the world around them. It is when we do not include them or acknowledge that they can and should be involved that we sometimes run into problems. Our young people have the energy, the interest and the compassion that is needed to help, so let them in on what is happening and what they can do to help, and they will take it from there. It never fails to amaze me how much they can do and how much they truly care.
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ReplyDeleteYou've said it well, David. Those with Alzheimer's are still the sum of their life experience and it takes time and learning to figure out, with each stage, how to enhance their lives.
ReplyDeleteFor our kids it has been a journey. When Mom moved into the care facilty, they had to grow comfortable going into that environment and it took some time but they are realizing that in the sadness of those places, there are still moments of joy and great love.
I truly think engaging as many of all ages in the care of the elderly is going to be critical to the future quality of life for seniors.
Somehow we need to improve our collective understanding of Alzheimer's. There is much scientific work to be done but as you say the pastoral side needs much attention too.
Those with Alzheimers still need people in their lives, and that need can't be measured by our apprehension to be involved or their inability to clearly communicate/respond...we just have to have a little faith and know that we can make a difference, even if it isn't always visible on the outside.
I had a grandmother who had Alzheimer's and who spent the last few years of her life curled up in a fetal position on a hospital bed with no awareness and unresponsive to the world around her.
ReplyDeleteTo see a beloved family member dying and experiencing great pain is a terrible thing but to bear witness to a loved one being destroyed by Alzhemier's and to loose them piece by piece and memory by memory is awful.
It is heartening to see what is being done for the families and their loved ones by schools, the researchers, the medical community and the Alzheimer's Society to slow down the ravages of the disease and to make life more comfortable.
For those who are unresponsive, when I have visited them, I gently touch their arm/shoulder, say the 23rd Psalm and a prayer for them and their caregivers - doctors, nurses, and family.
I know I have no control over how I die, but to die of Alzheimer's is one of my fears especially when I am a single person.