Guide to Ministering to Alzheimer's Patients and Their Families Book

Foreword   Dwight Eldeen     xv
Preface     xvii
Acknowledgments     xxi
Help!     1
God     3
God's Word     3
The Church     4
Prayer     5
Clergy     7
Other Professionals     7
Resources     8
Support Groups     9
Friends     12
Alzheimer's Disease     13
History     13
Diagnosis     13
Nature     14
Heredity     19
Cause     20
Cure     21
Statistics     21
Stages and Characteristics     22
Desire to Minister to Alzheimer's Patients and Families     27
Overcome Obstacles     28
Reach Out     31
Acquire Additional Knowledge     32
Theological Understanding     39
Questions for Ministers     40
Grief     45
Stages     46
Types     50
Additional Grief-Related Issues     52
Role of Ministry     55
Guilt     57
Purpose     57
Types     58
Situations That May Cause Families to Feel Guilt     58
Prevention     62
Additional Guilt-Related Issues     65
Role of Ministry     66
Alzheimer's Patients and Communication     69
Importance of Communicating with Alzheimer's Patients     70
Differences in Communicating with Alzheimer's Patients and Other Patients     70
Validation Therapy versus Reality Orientation     73
How to Help Alzheimer's Patients Communicate     73
How to Communicate with Alzheimer's Patients     74
Additional Communication-Related Issues     75
Alzheimer's Ministry Coordinator     77
Role     77
Responsibilities     78
Record-Keeping     79
Additional Ministry-Related Issues     80
Implications of Spiritual Care for Patients     85
Spiritual Needs of Patients     85
Ministry During the Different Stages of the Disease     86
Additional Patient-Related Ministry Issues     91
Creative Ministries     95
Implications of Spiritual Care for Families     103
Spiritual Needs of Families     103
Ministry During the Different Stages of the Disease     104
Additional Family-Related Issues     112
Creative Ministries     118
Ethical Issues     123
Common Ethical Dilemmas     123
Guidelines for Making Ethical Decisions     131
Additional Ethics-Related Issues     133
Role of Ministry     135
Models for Ministry     137
Ministering As Unto Christ     137
Ministering According to the "Golden Rule"     138
Ministering As Servant     139
Ministering As Friend     139
Pastoral Potpourri     141
Advocacy     142
Clinical Drug Trials     142
Concern Regarding Loved Ones' Salvation     143
Holidays     143
Hospitalization of the Patient     144
Humor     144
Long-Distance Caregiving     144
Ministry by Two or More Clergy     145
Pets     146
Research     146
Television     146
Transference and Countertransference     147
When Alzheimer's Strikes Clergy and Their Families     147
When Patients Can No Longer Fulfill Church Responsibilities     148
Working with Law Enforcement Officials and Transit Operators     149
Faith, Hope, and Love     151
Faith     151
Hope     153
Love     154
Role of Ministry     155
Remembering Blessings During Difficult Times     157
Catalyst to Draw Patients and Families Closer to God     157
Instrument of Spiritual Growth     158
Opportunity to Develop New Friendships     158
Illness Without Indication of Physical Pain     159
Opportunity to Love     159
Illness with an Inability to Remember     159
Catalyst to Cause Families to Make Personal Health Care Decisions     160
Opportunity for Families to Find Meaning in the Experience     160
Instrument God Uses to Teach Lessons     161
Avenue of Release When Death Occurs for Christians     161
Channel of Blessing     162
Resources     165
Organizations     165
Publications     170
Conclusion     195
Questionnaire     197
Statistical Information     203
Strength from the Scriptures     211
Sample Programs, Services, Forms     227
Alzheimer's Clergy Seminar Agenda      227
Role-Play Scenarios for Clergy Seminars and Other Ministerial Peer Groups     228
Care Facility Memorial Service     230
Pastoral Volunteer Agreement     232
Ministry Report     233
Case Study     234
Care Facility Worship Service     237
Worship Video Suggestions     239
Script for Worship Video     240
Sample Funeral Sermon I     242
Sample Funeral Sermon II     245
Declaration of Freedom from Guilt     248
Notes     249
Bibliography     253
Index     269