Wandering with Purpose: Sabbatical Travels with Dementia in Mind

In Sept 2023 I had the joy and privilege of attending the volunteer-led, ecumenical interfaith worship outreach through the Alzheimer’s Orange County (Irvine, CA). The specially tailored interfaith religious services are for those with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders and their families and caregivers for their spiritual support and comfort. This monthly event includes transportation to and from the local memory care facilities, the worship service, lunch and a shared music or movement activity. As they describe this on their website:

Our mission is to provide individuals, families, and caregivers coping with dementia, opportunities for spiritual expression, spiritual care & connection. Interfaith Outreach at Alzheimer’s Orange County is dedicated to providing public awareness, education, and support to Orange County’s faith-based communities.

          As a volunteer for the day, I assisted residents from their vans and into the church sanctuary where they sit together as a group. There was one man who was having a difficult morning, and I was asked to sit with him in a back pew. This way he could be present, but less overwhelmed. We sat side by side for the 20 minute service, and he was calmed by the quieter area. He was then able to join everyone else for the lunch and the music program and even the conga line.

Alzheimer’s Orange County has partnered with local host churches in a monthly rotation, bridging the sacred and the secular. AOC volunteers coordinate the site, the lunch and the program, and the host church provides worship and welcome.

          I had been wondering how to follow Always with You: Spiritual Comfort for Those Living in the World of Dementia, and the genesis of that answer arrived in an ‘aha’ moment as I was leaving the church hall that day, happy to have been part of this religious and spiritual time. For those who are otherwise unable to attend a worship service--something that had been an important and vital part of their lives when they were younger and independent—this ministry based out of a secular non-profit organization planted a seed. How else can churches partner with local community organizations to support those with a memory loss illness and their caregivers?

          That ‘aha’ moment has grown into what will become a book: Equipped for Every Good Work: Dementia Resources for Congregational and Community Care. This summer my sabbatical was an opportunity to visit 7 dementia programs around the country, and have many conversations, with established programs that have already such a partnership, or at least the potential. These are the core of Equipped, and others will emerge as well. As one person said to me about discovering a different program while visiting another, I would “be highjacked.” My reply,” Highlights, not hijacked.”

          With extreme gratitude for these visits, tours, participation, and all with an abundance of hospitality, I want to introduce the places I was able to learn about and come away with thanksgiving for the many blessings that these offer from hearts of grace, care and compassion. I share them here with you as an Equipped preview as my research and travels are not yet complete.

          My first stop was where it all began with the Alzheimer’s Orange County monthly worship service which is celebrating 25 years this year! What a wonderful foundation to build upon for church and community partnerships.

          My next visit was to Grace Community Church in LA for their long established 2 hour monthly Alzheimer’s/Dementia Ministry Meeting which blends worship, prayer, fellowship and support for care receivers and care givers. This began with a breakfast fellowship of delicious food, and then a time of worship through Scripture, reflection and prayer. Seated at tables in small groups, the “guests of honor” (those with a memory loss illness) and their caregivers sat together. Then the guests of honor went with their 1:1 specially trained volunteers to either do an activity, to walk, to listen to music, whatever brought the guest of honor the most peace and comfort. The caregivers remained at the tables and had a group discussion connecting the Scripture readings and their caregiving successes and challenges.

          While this was strictly a church program---and very happily and successfully so—this is something other churches could do and bring in community speakers for the caregivers or special activities for the guests, especially if there is an interest but limited volunteers available.

          Up next was the San Diego Age Well Dementia and Brain Health Team. This is a secular and professional community group covering a vast range of programs, support, counseling, education and resources for those impacted by Alzheimer’s/ dementia in San Diego County. This networking gathering was an opportunity for each to share information—verbal and written-- about what they offer. Churches could certainly benefit from knowing what resources are available in their own community and how to connect with them. Inevitably, there is always more out information, support and resources there than people often realize, especially when the diagnosis is new.

          My next visit was to the Town Square Adult day program in Chula Vista, CA, part of the renowned Glenner Family Alzheimer’s Family Center which provides support groups, memory cafes and specialized education programs. They have a fascinating adult day program—Town Square—which is a unique Reminiscence Therapy Day Center. Set in the 1950’s-early 60’s, the time frame of the core memories of those who attend, this approach is known to reduce agitation, improve mood and improve sleep quality. 14 rooms/activities (storefronts) set in the 1953-1961 time period house the different events of the small groups that rotate through each area for 5-6/day. These include a store where clothes and accessories are tried on, and ‘purchased,’ a movie theater, a diner, a city hall office, a clinic (where the staff nurse is present), a car to be tinkered on, a pub, library, pet shop, museum, a baseball field, and an actual beauty and barber shop. There is a ‘time warp’ space in between the Town Square and the 2026 reception area so that there is a transition space and not just a simple doorway. This is the flagship location, and there are others around the country.

          The church partnership opportunities for a program such as this, or for any adult day program, include volunteering and fundraising so that these programs can continue to allow people to thrive without being a financial burden for their families.

          Not too far away is the dementia worship video ministry of the Point Loma Presbyterian Church in San Diego. They currently have 4 online worship videos available and have plans for more, including special holidays. For those interested in creating such a ministry at their own church, they do have information on the logistics, equipment and tips to do so.

                This I would believe is the easiest of the partnerships to do as many churches now already have streaming and recording equipment and experience as a silver lining to Covid. Creativity options abound regarding what to include and how to present it. Always with You: Spiritual Comfort for Those Living in the World of Dementia, has several resources and practical tips for the worship liturgy. Whether partnering with a local singer or choral group or children’s choir or this can be a shared ministry of 2 or 3 churches, or a person savvy with editing, there are many ways to offer this ministry and outreach.

          The next program moves us from CA to Chattanooga, TN. The Abide Respite Ministry Program is a part of the non-profit Respite For All in Montogomery, AL. Housed in a large church room (some other sites use a few smaller rooms). Up to 14 friends (care receivers) and ~ 20 volunteers spend the day together from 10-2 for 4 days/week. Each friend has at least 1 volunteer, depending on their needs. There are also those who are in the kitchen for coffee & snacks/ lunch. Many community volunteers come in over the course of a week/month for programs such as art, music therapy, magic and animals, so easily lending itself to a community/church partnership model.

          The friends are in the early to middle stages of dementia, have to be able to walk (walkers are ok), take care of their own bathroom needs beyond needing a reminder now and then, able to feed themselves, and have no disruptive behaviors.

The day includes a social snack time, a morning meeting for information about the day, an art/craft project, lunch, group games and fun movement activities. The friends participate to their level of comfort/ability. Laughter and fun truly abound here.

          The Respite For All Website shares this information for churches and community partners:

We guide churches and organizations in how to build successful respite communities that provide social support for families living with dementia. Over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S., and by 2050 that number is projected to be more than doubled. New systems need to be implemented to provide a better quality of life for those living with dementia – and give care partners a much-needed break. Churches across the country are answering the call for this new way forward, and you can too.

My last visit was to a program at the Mashpee (MA) Congregational Church, UCC as they hosted The Magic of Music & Memory with Dr. Randi Lebar. She tells the fascinating and inspiring story of her mother Elaine, a concert pianist and music educator who went viral on TikTok in 2020 while living in a memory care unit. Dr. Lebar lives in CT, and does travel to speak to churches/groups, and can also meet via Zoom. This is a remarkable story of hope, of connecting to the person and what beings them joy, meaning and purpose.

These are just a few of the hope-giving, life-affirming, joy-sharing and heart-touching Alzheimer’s/dementia support partnership opportunities for churches and the community for coast to coast. There are more to be visited, and more yet to be discovered. In whatever way these programs serve and care, all offer the same core messages and goals again and again:

1. person‑centered, evidence‑based care that preserves dignity, quality of life, and independence for people living with dementia

2. supporting their families and care teams.

3.together we can continue to meet the growing needs of those with a memory loss illness and their loved ones.  

Do you know of a program? Please be in touch as I welcome these highlights!

Grace and peace,

Donna