Nurturing the Spiritual Needs of Persons Living with Memory Loss
Spiritual is key to our overall well-being. This is especially true for persons living with memory loss and their families. Creating and sharing joyful moments that promotes the spiritual growth can improve overall happiness and quality of life. Not only does nurturing the spirit affirm personhood, it also brings opportunities to maintain meaningful relationships with family and friends.
Despite a persons confusion and difficulty retrieving memories, persons living with memory loss retain the ability to feel and respond to emotions. The person may have difficulty expressing spiritual needs, but finding ways to help them sense and feel the love God will bring meaning and purpose in their life.
Making a prayer box together can bring spiritual awareness. Find a small box and for you and your family member to write down prayer/bible verses on slips of paper. You can also decorate the box together. Bring out the box when you sense their need for comfort. Rituals such as lighting a candle while you share the prayer box can bring a familiar closeness to God.
Many people find a connectedness to God in nature. Taking walks, and being outdoors by smelling the flowers, hearing the birds sing, watching sunset and sunrise will bring opportunities to appreciate the beauty of nature can feeding and nurturing the physical soul.
Celebrate the Easter season together! If attending church is not an option this year, consider the FUMC on-line service.
If you, a friend or family member living with memory loss would be interested in learning more about our Memory Ministry, Memory Cafe, or Family and Friends Educational Workshops, please contact Vicky Pitner at vpitner@fumc.org.