nursing homes, elderly, confusion,

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Could it be Dementia?

Louise Morse & Roger Hitchings
Kregel Publishing (2009)
ISBN 9780825461705
Reviewed by Patricia Berliner for RebeccasReads (08/09)

 In our modern, high tech society, dementia is a reminder of our human limitations and of the power found in loving care of one another.  For over 200 years, Pilgrim Homes, founded in England, have cared for the elderly in sheltered housing, residences and nursing homes, offering loving care, prayer support and a Christian-based environment.

Now, many in their community suffer from dementia, a disease in which the person seems to disappear while the physical shell remains.  Dementia is a slow, painfully slow, descent into cognitive decline, forgetfulness, confusion and, for many, fear.  Those who suffer from dementia forget so much, often even the identities of their loved ones; their loved ones suffer the loss of a person who, although still alive physically, seems lost to life.  But, as the authors remind us, within the darkness lies a treasure.  Hidden treasures have to be sought after, discovered, recognized as valuable and claimed.

When we think about dementia, our first identification is usually Alzheimer’s, which accounts for more than half of the dementia cases that are identified, but there many forms of dementia, including vascular disease, alcohol related dementia, AIDS related dementia, and frontal temporal lobe dementia.  Slowly, medical science is learning more about how dementia starts, what it looks like and how to treat. For caretakers, though, most important is the question of how to continue to show our love to the ones who now seem lost to us.  How do we care for both them and ourselves in the “dark night” of dementia?  Can we see and value the gift hidden within the pain and chaos?

Morse and Hutchings present the human face of dementia and the human struggle of patients, caretakers, loved ones and the medical system.  From their perspective as Christian believers, they call upon the power of prayer, but also, and of major importance, the power of presence.  Houses of worship and those who worship within them, and from them go forth to carry the message, are invited to go forth and embrace their lost and lonely, frightened and powerless neighbors…brothers and sisters.  They are challenged to look beyond the illness and to see the person within.  From embracing the struggles of others, our growth in compassion can be enhanced.

Our house of worship and those who are nourished by them, can be oasis of love, acceptance and hope, untapped resources that should be tapped.  The love and commitment manifested by the Pilgrim House community and other faith-based, person-centered groups like this is inspiring.  Daily, myriads of families around the world struggle to understand the disease spectrum of dementia and to love and care for those who suffer.

Both caretakers and their loved ones face mountains.  Ms. Morse and Mr. Hitchings remind us of the power of community.  Pilgrim House reminds us of that the strength of the community strengthens the pilgrims and that, even in the darkness, there is the promise of light.


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