LLT #206: Can You Still PRAY In The Face of Dementia? 🙏🏽👴🏽👵🏽🗝️
#prayer #prayerworks #dementiasupport #alzheimer #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers
Tonight we explore PRAYER..... In the face of Dementia or Alzheimer's.
Prayer is loosely defined as communication with a Superior Being, Source, Power for comfort, guidance, and protection.
No matter the denomination, or no denomination; even if one describes themselves as "spiritual", mankind has recognised the need for "help from above".
The difficulty comes when life changes forever as it does if there is a new diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer's.
The questions: Who am I now? Will I change? How can I live any sort of normal life? How do we take care of someone who does not even recognise family members any longer?
Prayer requires concentration: that is lost in dementia, so many ask: does it even make sense to continue praying to someone who isn't there?
The answers may surprise, and hopefully encourage you.
Yes it still makes sense- studies and experiences of caregivers conclude that , especially if the affected person was very spiritually active, they have favourite songs, passages of scripture or mantras which calm and soothe them
THEY ARE STILL THEM . They may not process everything, so some ways to keep continuity and reassure them (and yourself):
Pray on mornings; before meals, and at bedtime; keep it short: "Thank you" may be all you can do sometimes.
Play their songs etc, during the day and especially at night- it works!
Finally- pray for yourself; for courage to face the diagnosis, remember that they are still "in there"; pray for the heart to face the loss that things are not the same.
The "new normal" can be terrifying- it's ok to ask for "help from Above"!
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
Overwhelmed? Let's connect: 📧lana@lanaannemd.com, for more insights and connect for a FREE face-to-Face 15 minute Zoom call.
