People in faith communities often respond to their members’ needs with action. Cold in the winter? Hold a coat drive. Students in need of school supplies? Fill their backpacks. Natural disaster in the community? Fundraise to help bring relief.
But Alzheimer’s isn’t a chicken casserole crisis. Although the immediate response to an illness in a church community is to do something for those affected, what happens when a disease is ongoing and long-lasting? An Alzheimer’s diagnosis has no time frame for recovery as this disease cannot be cured, delayed, or prevented. Because there is nothing to “do” when it comes to Alzheimer’s—no single chicken casserole to the rescue—many people shy away from involvement altogether.
However, just because there isn’t a finite solution doesn’t mean nothing can be done to improve the situation. I should know—I cared for my wife Elaine, whose battle with Alzheimer’s spanned nearly two decades. I recently sat down with Derek Wolter, Chaplain at the Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to discuss how faith communities can make a difference in the lives of caregivers and patients alike.
Learn About Alzheimer’s
Schreiber: If there’s one thing worse than Alzheimer’s, it’s ignorance of the disease. It’s crucial that faith leaders and communities begin by acquainting themselves with the characteristics of dementia. What is a good first step for church communities?
Chaplain Wolter: Congregations would benefit from some kind of training on the nature of Alzheimer’s and its effect on patients and caregivers. Information yields understanding and the ability to bring support and comfort to all involved.
Organize & Mobilize
S: Just because Alzhiemer’s can’t be solved with one chicken casserole doesn’t mean that casserole won’t make a difference in the life of the patient and their loved ones. Caregivers can certainly benefit from having a meal prepared and dropped off once in a while. What kinds of ministry can church communities provide caregivers and their loved ones?
CW: The best way to support both patient and caregiver is to find ways to keep them connected to the community. Taking this notion to the next level, congregations might consider other lay ministry, like an organized respite program that allows the caregiver to leave the house for a few hours for things like medical appointments, shopping, and lunch with friends. This sort of reprieve is a huge blessing for caregivers, even for just a few hours each week. Resources like the Alzheimer’s Association can help with training individuals to participate in such programs.
Faith Leaders, Be Present
S: Sadly, many church leaders struggle to find the time and resources to reach out to members in their community who suffer from Alzheimer’s. As new pastors arrive, they may not even have personal knowledge of the individual and their caregiver, due to the progression and longevity of this disease. It’s up to faith leaders to do better—if not, those individuals may walk away from the congregation altogether, which only adds to the isolation dementia brings. How can faith leaders do better?
CW: I suggest making consistent contact, checking in with caregivers and patients by phone or in person. Don’t be afraid to visit a memory care facility. When you visit, remember that just being present is an act of service and love. Sit, listen to them, live in their world for a short time, and offer a familiar hymn or prayer. Let the caregiver know that you visited. Such actions will speak volumes of your desire to support and comfort.
Make Worship Welcoming
S: At the Lutheran Home, you care for both residents with dementia and those who participate in Adult Day Services. I’ve noticed you cater your services to your audience—can you tell me more about that?
CW: For both of these communities, I prepare worship services based on the participants’ ability to understand and join in. For readings, I turn to well-known themes like the Good Shepherd and Prodigal Son—readings that are part of the long-term memory of those raised in faith. The services are brief, about twenty to thirty minutes at most.
While preaching, I walk around. This gives participants a visual stimulus to follow. I also use gestures and expressions to stimulate the senses. Above all, I put forth a cheerful, almost humorous demeanor, at some point acknowledging each person in attendance by name. The goal is to create a welcoming, safe, and stimulating environment filled with long-term memory that will bring a message of peace.
Lean On The Alzheimer’s Association
S: What outside resources do you find you turn to the most?
CW: Should a congregation be interested in learning more and starting an outreach program for those members and caregivers living with dementia, I highly recommend reaching out to the Alzheimer’s Association for initial training. It takes a lot of emotional energy to provide support to dementia patients and their caregivers. Knowledge is power.
Read My Two Elaines
S: As I said, I cared for my wife Elaine for nearly two decades following her diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer’s. Over the years, I discovered many ways to help both Elaine and myself live our best lives possible in the face of this terrible disease. From therapeutic fibbing to learning to join the world of the person with Alzheimer’s, I’ve been told time and again how valuable a resource My Two Elaines can be for caregivers and their community. I hope my book can have the same impact for you.
Former Wisconsin Governor Martin J. Schreiber is an award-winning crusader for Alzheimer’s caregivers and persons with dementia. Inspired by his father’s example as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and the Milwaukee Common Council, Martin ran for public office even before he had completed law school. In 1962, he was elected as the youngest-ever member of the Wisconsin State Senate. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1970 and, in 1977, became the 39th governor of Wisconsin. Martin is retired from his public affairs firm in Milwaukee and now is an advocate for Alzheimer’s caregivers. After spending nearly 20 years caring for his wife Elaine, he is passionately committed to speaking out to help caregivers and their loved ones live their best lives possible. Since 2017, Schreiber has given more than 800 presentations. He shares his experiences in: My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver, now available in softcover. Marty has four children, 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
