Religion, spirituality and dementia: Pastoring to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and other associated forms of dementia

Abstract

The cause and effects of Alzheimer's disease still require extensive research. This paper illustrates how religion and spirituality can be related to people suffering from various forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, and how Churches as organizations can assist these people. The paper also covers ways of minimizing communication difficulties during one-to-one pastoral visits, the simplification of religious services for nursing-home residents, and some of the problems which may occur when a practising Church minister develops symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Key Words:

• Alzheimer's disease
• communication
• religion
• spirituality

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hazel Elliot

It is with great sadness that we have to inform the readership of the Journal that shortly after completing the final editorial work on this Special Issue, Professor Kalman Jacob Mann was seriously injured in a car accident and subsequently died.

Professor Mann was responsible for establishing the two Hadassah Hospitals and Community Health Centres in Jerusalem and for the past 20 years headed the Presidium of Yad Sarah, Israel's largest community based, volunteer operated organization which provides a spectrum of free or nominal cost home care services nation-wide.

We offer our condolences to his family and friends, and trust that this Special Issue stands as a testament to his work in the field.