Finding Sanctuary In The Midst Of Alzheimer S

Finding Sanctuary in the Midst of Alzheimer’s is currently the only Bible study on the market for dementia caregivers and the communities that serve them.

Finding Sanctuary in the Midst of Alzheimer's is currently the only Bible study on the market for dementia caregivers and the communities that serve them.

When a spouse is diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, chances are the husband or wife has suspected something is not right for some time. Denial, embarrassment, the decision to tell others, and additional issuessome that feel too private to share can have a significant impact on the marriage. Spouses often look to their church for emotional, physical, and spiritual support; however, research shows that most churches are not well-equipped to minister to those caring for a spouse with Alzheimers. Sanctuary in the Midst of Alzheimers is a resource for both spouses and their churches, encouraging congregations to walk in the shoes of a spousal caregiver while providing the opportunity for spouses to find meaning and a sense of peace in their role as a caregiver.

Spouses now provide the majority of care for persons with Alzheimer's disease (Daley et. al., 2017). This program is comprised of two separate but parallel studies subtitled, "Providing Sanctuary" (for pastors and congregation members) and "Seeking Sanctuary" (for spousal caregivers). Ideally, these studies occur simultaneously; however, an increasing number of places, such as assisted living and retirement communities, are adapting either one or both studies to cater to the needs of their population. Used separately, each study can be used as a 4-week spousal support group or as an educational program for those wanting to know how to better support dementia caregivers. Both studies use scripture and personal narratives as the foundation for discussion. Anyone can lead the discussions, as directions have been embedded within each week's lesson. To find out more about the author, visit her website at www.elizabethshulman.com

Have you experienced the pain of watching a loved one suffer from Alzheimer's disease? Finding Mom in the Midst of Alzheimer's is written from the perspective of a caregiver who has experienced lifelong emotional and verbal abuse at the hands of a parent, who was later consumed by the devastating effects of dementia. Author, Dianne Osmun, shares her own story of caring for her mother, who has Alzheimer's Disease. Through her transparent, raw account, readers will: Understand the insidious nature of dementia, while also gaining pragmatic insight and guidance on caring for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's. Understand the dynamics of abuse and how, through understanding, you can overcome childhood traumas, so that you are able to love and accept your loved one as they are now Understand how to identify supports and resources to help navigate the murky waters of dementia. You don't need to suffer alone. Start your own journey of healing, reconciliation, and acceptance today. DIANNE OSMUN has the rare perspective of having a mental health background, along with education in fine arts and experience in advocating for victims of violence and abuse. This uniquely qualifies her to view dementia within the context of abuse.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:28-29 This invitation from Jesus speaks to many of us who are worn out, crushed by the pressures of life. It appears to offer us a refuge from our trials. But is this all our Lord is calling us to? Take a closer look at His invitation, and you’ll discover much more—promises of a new source of strength for our God-given tasks, as well as His challenge to follow Him all the way. Will we go to Him, to take His yoke, and to learn from Him? Find out how you can make sense of your faith and life as you respond wholeheartedly to the call of our Creator, Healer, Saviour, and Teacher.

A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.

Dementia diseases represent a crisis of faith for many family members and congregations. Magnifying this crisis is the way people with dementia tend to be objectified by both medical and religious communities. They are recipients of treatment and projects for mission. Ministry is done to and for them rather than with them. While acknowledging the devastation of dementia diseases, Ken Carder draws on his own experience as a caregiver, hospice chaplain, and pastoral practitioner to portray the gifts as well as the challenges accompanying dementia diseases. He confronts the deep personal and theological questions created by loving people with dementia diseases, demonstrating how living with dementia can be a means of growing in faith, wholeness, and ministry for the entire community of faith. He also reveals that authentic faith transcends intellectual beliefs, verbal affirmations, and prescribed practices. Carder asserts that the Judeo-Christian tradition offers a broader lens, defining personhood in relationship to God’s story and humanity’s participation in God’s mighty acts of creation and new creation; thereby contributing to hope, community, and self-worth. Pastors and congregations will be better equipped to minister with people affected by dementia, receiving their gifts and responding to their unique needs. They will learn how people with dementia contribute to the community and the church’s life and mission, discovering practical ways those contributions can be identified, nurtured, and incorporated into the church’s life and ministry.