In 2009, someone was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia every 77 seconds.
Today, someone is diagnosed every 65 seconds. And the number is escalating.
In 2050, it will be one person every 33 seconds.
For retired United Methodist Bishop Kenneth Carder, the statistics are personal. His wife, Linda, was diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia and he was called into a new vocation—that of caregiver for Linda.
Tennessee Conference United Methodist Church Adult / Older Adult Ministries Alzheimer's / Dementia: Ministry with the Forgotten with Bishop Kenneth Carder video shoot in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMCom.
Out of that experience, Bishop Carder felt led to create a five-part study, Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Ministry with the Forgotten, (free downloadable videos and leader’s guide are available below) because he wanted to help start conversations within United Methodist congregations and generate action around caring for people who have a form of dementia as well as their caregivers. READ MORE
What Groups Learn from the Study
The free downloadable five-part video resource and accompanying leader’s guide, covers:
- Impact and challenges of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
- The theological basis for church involvement
- Practical and specific ways local congregations can be involved in caring for those with dementia and their caregivers
- Ways individuals can communicate, interact, and even worship with people who have Alzheimer’s and dementia
Downloadable Session Videos:
- Introduction to Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Ministry with the Forgotten
- Session 1 Dementia Care: A New Vocation
- Session 2 More Than Our Memories
- Session 3 Created in God's Image: Identity in Community
- Session 4 Responding in Love
- Session 5 Burden Bearing: Our Gift