Become a Dementia Friend

Logo for Dementia Friends

Many of us have family members or friends coping with dementia. We want our churches to be Dementia Friendly, welcoming and loving to all. Dementia Friends gives people an understanding of dementia and the small things you can do that make a difference.

To achieve this, we need to understand more about what it's like to live with dementia, and  to know how to help. Hazel Reynolds ran two sessions in July 2014 on becoming a Dementia Friend. If you would like to know more about Dementia or becoming a Dementia Friend,  please get in touch with her, at the contact details given below. 

Hazel Reynolds is a Dementia Friends champion  (part of the national initiative to create one million Dementia Friends by 2015), and an Alzheimer's Society volunteer.

Visit the Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friends website at dementiafriends 

Hazel may be contacted by email at .

 

See Regular events for different types of group which meet regularly and may be of help.

 

Five key things everyone should know about dementia

• Dementia is not a natural part of ageing
• Dementia is caused by brain diseases
• It’s not just about losing your memory
• It’s possible to live well with dementia
• There’s more to the person than the dementia
 

Sources of further information

  • "God, Me and Being Very Old", stories and spirituality in later life, edited by Keith Albans and Malcolm Johnson
  • the charity Livability (formed when John Grooms linked with the Shaftsbury Society in 2007) - the largest Christian charity concerned with making church accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all

 

Some suggested prayers

Gracious and loving God,
This is my daily task;
to love and care for someone who has dementia,
who is losing his/her memory,
his/her judgement,
his/her ability to function in ordinary ways.

 

You are the God who promises
that even if our father or mother forgets us
you will remember.
We are inscribed on the palms of your hands.
You are the God whose judgements are always true,
and your power is made perfect in our weakness.
 
 
As I move through the difficulties of this day,
enlighten my mind
and lighten my heart
by your grace.
Awaken within me
your wisdom,
your courage,
your strength,
your patience and forgiveness.
 
 
Make me worthy of the task to which you have called me.