dementia

Taking Care of Mom

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments 
When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 ESV

When we read the stories of Jesus calling His disciples, it becomes clear early on that He had a special job for three of them: Peter, James, and John. Though Peter’s brother Andrew followed Jesus first and was the one who told Peter about Him, it was Peter who was called to be the leader, and despite denying Christ at His trial, Peter was the same boldly preached to thousands on Pentecost. At first, thousands became Christians, but then a few months later, the second in that inner circle, James was put to death for his faith. But what about John? If Peter were to lead, and James to be martyred, what did Jesus ask John to do? Jesus called Him take care of His mother.

While Peter was out preaching, and later on Paul became the greatest evangelist of all time, John stayed home, and there accomplished two things: He wrote about Jesus and He took care of Mary. Maybe there were days when John wondered why he couldn’t have a more exciting ministry. Why couldn’t he go on a mission trip, schedule a speaking tour, or organize the growing church? In fact, after the first few chapters of the book of Acts, John disappears from our view entirely. It wasn’t that he wasn’t as smart, couldn’t speak well or know how to lead. The central issue of John’s life was that He was asked by Jesus to take care of someone most precious to Jesus: His mom!

In memory-care ministry, we are not asked to speak to large crowds, to oversee the construction of a new church or to travel overseas. Instead, Jesus calls us to enter a world that others hope to avoid, and many would like to forget. So, on days when you wonder if you are making any difference, you feel exhausted, or confused, just remember John. When we read through the New Testament, we don’t find a single word that John said, and yet he was called the disciple whom Jesus loved. You are likewise loved by Jesus, and He will fill you with His love for others as you continue to trust Him and just take care of mom!

Why Should We Care About Memory Care?

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. Genesis 48:10 ESV

They barely remember our name and struggle to recall where they are. The hands, once strong and able that provided for us, protected us and even at times disciplined us now hang limply at their sides. What is the use of visiting, when they will not remember it an hour from now? Those are hard but very real questions we may struggle with if we have a parent in memory care.

Genesis 48:10 ESV  Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.

https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.48.10.ESV

But God remembers them and like Jacob, they still hold the blessings for our children in their hands. Rather than simply pity them, or stay away in discouragement and sorrow, let us go remembering that God has designed this chapter in their lives to still have purpose. Remember that after Jesus was born, he was brought by Mary and Joseph to the temple.  There Jesus received blessings from, Simeon and Anna, the two oldest members of the community.

Those who are least respected by a society weary of caring for its elderly, are highly honored by God. These weakened by infirmity and age have been entrusted with the blessing for our children. Why should we care about memory care? Because Jesus does and He remembers them and sees when each one falls.

Man with dementia found after wandering onto train tracks

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.  Luke 10:30 NLT

Recently, in our community, an elderly man with dementia, wandered from his home at night and ended up lying down to sleep on some nearby railroad tracks. Too often, stories like his end in tragedy, but thanks to the family’s call to the sheriff’s department, and an aviation unit with night vision cameras, he was found and brought safely home. I thank God for the good news in this story, but his case reminds me that there are millions more who need our help. Though it may feel hopeless, pointless and just plain inconvenient, their lives are an opportunity for us to love our neighbors, like both the Hillsborough Sheriff’s department and the good Samaritan.

First, both the Samaritan and the deputies, remind us that every person is worth finding. No one should be left by the side of the road alone. Too often we, spend time praying for God to help us serve Him, yet pass right by people He leaves directly in our path. Secondly, they spared no resources in their search You might say, “Well they had a helicopter, an ambulance and a team of paramedics, how can I help?” Well the Samaritan had only oil, wine and a donkey, and he got the job done! When we use what we have, God has a funny way of making it be enough, (remember those 5 loaves and 2 fish?) Last of all, the Samaritan had compassion for the man. He was different in every way, culturally, racially and in his religion, but he treated Him as a neighbor.

Is there a family you know, with a loved one who battles with dementia, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease? Maybe you could start getting to know them. Say hello over the backyard fence, offer your services to sit with their loved one while they go to the store or leave your phone number to be called in an emergency. Every situation and every person has a different set of needs. If you don’t personally know someone, there is very likely a facility near you that would love to have more people willing to visit. You can bring cards for Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day or drop off a small gift basket for the weary staff, who care for them 24/7. According to the CDC there are currently 5.8 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with either Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. Thank God for first responders of all types who intervene daily, in helping people, just like our local man. But the truth of the matter is that the job is too big for just the police, fire department and paramedics to handle. We as God’s people must be willing to come close, see them with eyes of compassion and do what we can with what we have to help. I have posted the link below, if you would like to check out our local news story for yourself.

https://www.fox13news.com/news/hillsborough-county-missing-man-dementia-brandon-aviation-railroad-tracks

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com