“It’s a Consolation”: The Role of Christian Religion for People With Dementia Who Are Living in Care Homes

Abstract

Little is known from the perspectives of people with dementia living in care homes regarding the role of faith in their lives. The study aimed to understand the impact the participants’ faith has on their present lives. Ten people with moderate dementia who lived in four care homes were interviewed and the data analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The results highlight the importance of faith in the participants’ lives and point to supporting them to maintain their faith practices and traditions to help preserve their dignity of identity and personhood.

KEYWORDS:

• dementia
• spirituality
• religion
• interpretative phenomenological analysis
• care homes
• dignity