Understanding Dementia

(A study day held by

Methodist Women in Britain

on 27th April 2016)

I went to this meeting thinking that I should learn more about this subject, as our churches need to be aware of the problem, in order to do what they can to support members with this condition, and their carers.   As we were having coffee before the meeting started, my neighbour said that one of the speakers had been to her church and congratulated her on being a dementia friendly church; the reason being that the toilet seats were the right colour. I was intrigued.

All of us will know someone, who either has dementia or who cares for someone who does. With our ageing population, both outside and inside the church, this will be something that we shall have to cope with for many years to come. The love that we have one for another will continue as usual, but there may come a time when more and different help is needed, and we must be ready to offer this. 

Do we all belong to a dementia friendly church?   Do we know how Alzheimer’s patients are affected by different colours?   Are the lavatory seats the right colour?   And the mats on the floor?   Have we thought about how we can best support dementia sufferers and their carers when it is no longer possible for them to attend church?  

The time may come when we will need this vital information and also have a plan in place to cope with the problems that may arise.   

If your church already has a plan and you would like to share your experience with others, or would like to talk about the possibilities and problems that might arise in the future, please get in touch with me.   

Chris T, Thackley