Visiting Your Parishioner with Dementia

Transcription

1 Visiting Your Parishioner with Dementia Tips for Clergy Serving Seniors Presented by: Erin Bonitto, MS, ADC - Founder & Lead Coach Gemini Consulting & GLE Institute for Dementia Cold Spring, MN Presented for : Morningside Ministries San Antonio, TX

2 How do we visit and genuinely connect with the parishioner who has dementia. Dementia Definitions & Quick Facts The Language of Dementia Creating Connections The Amazing Grace Group

3 Dementia Definition Dementia is just an umbrella term for a cluster of symptoms. It is not a disease, itself. The symptoms include problems with: memory, judgment, language, and decision-making. Many different conditions/diseases may cause dementia. Alzheimer s Disease 60% 80% Vascular Dementia Mixed Dementia Information adapted from the Alzheimer s Association. For more information, visit the Alzheimer s Association on-line at:

4 Alzheimer s Disease: The Numbers are Staggering 5.4 1in8 43% Million people in America have have Alzheimer s. This number will skyrocket as Baby Boomers age. Americans over 65 have Alzheimer s or other dementia of people over 85 have Alzheimer s Source: The Alzheimer s Association. How many of your parishioners are over 65? How many of your parishioners have parents over 65? Perhaps you are a Chaplain in a retirement community, where nearly everyone is over 65?

5 How is Alzheimer s Disease Different from Normal, Age-Related Memory Changes? Alzheimer s Disease Forgetting whole experiences Rarely able to remember later Gradually unable to follow written or spoken directions Gradually unable to use notes as reminders Gradually unable to care for oneself Memory Changes related to normal aging Forgetting part of an experience Often able to remember later Usually able to follow written or spoken directions Usually able to use notes as reminders Usually able to care for oneself Source: The Alzheimer s Association. Lighting the path for people affected by Alzheimer s: African-American clergy guide

6 What you will notice during a visit: Severe impairment of short-term memory and backward erosion of long-term memory Understand that your exact identity & your relationship may be very fuzzy to the person Don t quiz the person or assume understanding You know me! We ve known each other for 20 years. It s me, Pastor Anderson, you remember me. What s the name of our church? I know you know it!

7 What you will notice during a visit: Both speaking and understanding spoken words is impaired. Speak slowly, using simple words & phrases Understand, in social situations, the person may cover and actually be understanding less than he lets on.

8 Use the Language of Dementia to Truly Connect During Your Visit

9 Very little expression Questions Uncertain identity & purpose Poor vocal quality Unfocused Uncertain Refusals Confusion Withdrawal Disinterest Restlessness Every Day Communication Patterns Do Not Work for Dementia. Coming for a Visit

10 Be sure to introduce yourself to the person as if it is the first time you have met Connection begins here.

11 Step 1 GL Get Low UMB IM SS Gemini Consulting & GLE Institute for Dementia

12 You Must Be... GL Step 2 UMB IM SS Gemini Consulting & GLE Institute for Dementia th St. South Cold Spring, MN

13 I am... GL UMB Step 3 IM SS Gemini Consulting & GLE Institute for Dementia th St. South Cold Spring, MN

14 GL Simple Statement I came to say Hello. UMB IM Step 4 SS Gemini Consulting & GLE Institute for Dementia th St. South Cold Spring, MN

15 Get below eye level Use exaggerated facial expressions ions, gestures & body language Sparkl y Face! Simple Statements 7 & 7 Rule Wear clerical attire. Find a quiet place to visit free of distractions Find a well-lit place to visit. Use These Skills & Standards to Connect. Enter the person s reality

16 Creating Connections Use the strengths lasting long into Alzheimer s Disease to tap into familiar Religious & Spiritual rituals

17 Our Hands Remember. Procedural Memories

18 Our Voices Remember. Automatic Responses Sing familiar hymns Sing a bit more slowly & low pitch than normal 1 st Verse over & over Sing with Expression No hymnal or sheet music Nancy Pitkin s Favorite Hymns & Spirituals Seabay Game Company

19 Our Voices Remember. Automatic Responses Sing old, familiar hymns We Gather Together Amazing Grace Holy, Holy, Holy His Eye is on the Sparrow What a Friend We Have in Jesus The Old Rugged Cross Were You There? When the Saints Go Marching In

20 Our Voices Remember. Automatic Responses Recite & Read familiar passages Read or Recite the passage more than once Read with Expression Use traditional versions, not contemporary Read a bit more slowly than normal and in a low pitch Offer VERY large print

21 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

22 Enjoy Stories. Deeply Stored Long Term Memories Christmas Story Jesus Feeds the 5000 The Prodigal Son Share the story very simply. Use a single, large illustration Noah s Ark David & Goliath Burning Bush Jonah & The Whale

23 Enjoy Stories. Deeply Stored Long Term Memories Use Simple Statements Look at that. This is an interesting picture. Noah s ark. What faith he must have had. The animals went in two by two.

24 The Amazing Grace Group

25 Do connect. Erin Bonitto - Founder & Lead Coach Gemini Consulting & GLE Institute for Dementia