Nursing Homes

Lessons Learned in The Alzheimer’s World

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With Alzheimer’s awareness walks scheduled in a few weeks I wanted to share some hope with those who have loved ones in the struggling with memory loss. One thing I have noticed from having spent some twenty plus years bringing music in to those places is the pain and heartache of family members.

The residents often no longer realize what is happening to them but their family’s hopelessness becomes so great that they visit only rarely and then go home feeling guilty. “What’s the use?” they ask when Mom or Dad no longer remember their name.

Here are some words of hope which John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can With all the means you can In all the ways you can”

“Do all the good you can” but do NOT worry about what you can’t do. That is God’s work alone. If you can get them to smile you have already moved a small mountain!

“By all the means you can” You know your loved better than anyone. Think of the simplest pleasure you could give them. A chocolate bar or a coffee from their favorite diner may be the best medication they will receive all day!

“In all the ways you can” You have your own emotional and physical limits. If you can give only 1 or 2 days a week to visiting God knows. God asks us each to give our all but your all doesn’t mean neglecting the rest of your family or yourself. Jesus multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5,000. He will use what we can give and make it be enough to meet your loved one’s needs. God bless you as you do your best in this time of their life.

Alzheimer’s awareness events are in October and November. If you would like to participate there may be a walk near you. In our area, West Pasco County Florida is holding theirs on October 19th and Tampa on November 2nd. If you cannot walk or donate please remember to pray. God bless you. Remember God never asks us to give what we do not have but He does love a cheerful giver!

Serving Communion at Nursing Home Part 2

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For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 1 Corinthians 11:23

To those who have returned for part two I want to say thank you. Finding people willing to volunteers bring communion to nursing home is always a challenge. So if you are involved in nursing home ministry or would like to be and to begin bringing in the Lord’s Supper here are a few ideas that can help you get started.

Be Joyful: Serving communion is not a duty it is a joy! At the end of the last supper, even though Jesus knew that He would soon be facing death on a cross; scripture tells us that He has them sing a hymn. There are few things more exciting than sharing about and serving the Lord’s supper. So serve with a smile. You will be amazed at the blessing you will carry in your heart all week!

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Collect your materials. Do not buy a communion set. They cost a fortune! Instead beg, borrow or create your own serving plates. In my current home we have only about 15 people and a small silver tray along with a ceramic cup work just fine. I buy the disposable plastic cups by mail order and the juice and matzos at the store.

Communicate to your people and set a regular schedule of when you will be serving. Residents really look forward to receiving and will make a special effort to attend if they know about it in advance. Right now I am choosing the first Monday of every month but over the holidays I am flexible and sometimes serve a special communion such as at Easter; Christmas or Thanksgiving.

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Cooperate: Ask for help as well as permission from the staff. Just as I discovered, they are usually more willing to get involved than we realize. We see our people a few times a month, but the staff is with them at least 40 hours a week! They know them far better than we do and nothing could possibly replace the gentleness and love they have for the residents.

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Serving Communion at Nursing Home Part 1

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 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.            1 Corinthians 11:26 NIV

“I think it’s been years since anyone served me communion.” Glenn said, as he took the cup of grape juice and matzo bread that I had brought into his room at the nursing home. I am constantly amazed at the joy that people like Glenn experience when they are given the Lord’s Supper. I am likewise surprised to notice the general lack of awareness of that need on the part of the Protestant clergy. Our Catholic friends however are very diligent to send lay workers for their version of communion. The act of receiving the bread and the cup were given to us directly from our Master’s hand along with a command to remember His death till He comes. So why is it any less vital to serve communion at a nursing home than it is at church?

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My personal acquaintance with nursing home ministry goes back thirty years and spans five different facilities where I have served. My first attempt at bringing in the communion ended in near disaster when the cork from the bottle of naturally carbonated grape juice popped off and whizzed across the room! Back then I had a team member from our church who helped me pass out the elements to the 6 or 8 people gathered in our small meeting. But over the years our attendance grew but my fellow volunteer had scheduling issues that left me to serve alone. At first I begged an occasional helper from church to come help; but sadly for a long time I simply gave up on the practice.

“I just wish I had someone to help me pass out communion.” I complained one day to Erin the activities director at Allied Services. “Why can’t we help you pass out the cups and the bread, Pastor Pete?”  Erin asked with surprise.

“Oh no it’s okay. I’ll find somebody.” I said. But what I really wanted was for people from my own church to serve communion. A couple of months passed after Erin’s first offer till I went back to her office. “Would your people really be willing to help me pass out the communion today?” I asked humbly.

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“No problem Pastor Pete!” she said smiling. Why was it such a big issue for me to ask for such a small favor? Maybe it was just a matter of pride, or just a general lack of awareness of the needs of our group.  By that time the meeting had grown to over twenty people. What a blessing it was to have workers who knew them by name and could know if they had physical issues which could prevent them from safely receiving the bread or the cup. From then, on at least once a month, any resident who wished to receive communion was given the opportunity.

So if you are involved in nursing home ministry and would like to begin bringing in the Lord’s Supper tomorrow we’ll look at a few practical steps that can help you get started.