Nurturing the Spiritual Needs of Persons Living with Memory Loss
Spiritual and social connectedness are key to our overall well-being. This is especially true for persons living with memory loss. Creating and sharing joyful moments that promote spiritual and social growth can improve their overall happiness and quality of life. Not only does nurturing their spirit affirm their personhood, it also brings opportunities to maintain relationships with their care partner, friends, and family.
Despite their confusion and difficulty retrieving memories, persons living with memory loss retain the ability to feel and respond to emotions. They may have difficulty expressing their spiritual needs, but finding ways to help them sense and feel the love of God will bring meaning and purpose in their life.
Starting and ending the day with a devotional or moments of prayer can be an effective way to help you and your family member connect to your faith. There are no studies that indicate that person’s living with memory loss have any less needs for spiritual support.
Making a prayer box together can bring spiritual awareness. Find a small box for you and your family member and write down prayer/bible verses on slips of paper. You can also decorate the box together. Bring out the box when you sense their need for comfort. Rituals such as lighting a candle while you share the prayer box can bring a familiar closeness to God.
Many people find a connectedness to God in nature. Taking walks, smelling flowers, hearing the birds sing, and watching sunsets and sunrises will bring opportunities to appreciate the beauty of nature by feeding and nurturing the physical soul.
If you, a friend or family member living with memory loss would be interested in learning more about our Memory Ministry, Memory Cafe, please contact Vicky Pitner at vpitner@fumc.org.