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Women's Ministries Programs
“Memories Lost”
By
Shirley White
and
Carla Binnix
Theme:
“Memories”
February – Service Program
2006
Program Ideas
Speakers
- Contact The Alzheimer’s Association to secure a speaker on this disease. To locate the nearest chapter check their website at www.alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900.
- Some nursing homes deal specifically with patients with Alzheimer’s. Check to see if they he someone to share information about dealing with patients with this disease.
- If someone in your corps has a loved one who is dealing with Alzheimer’s, ask them to share how this has impacted their family and how the women’s ministries group can support them.
Resources
There are many resources available to help with a program on Alzheimer’s. Below are a few:
- The Adult Ministries Secretary at DHQ may have resources to share.
- The National Institute on Aging Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center has a speaker’s kit titled “Unraveling the Mystery.” Check their website at www.alzheimers.org for further information.
- The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (www.alzinfo.org) provides information on understanding Alzheimer’s, resources and support, treatment, research and continuing care information. They can also be reached at 1-800-ALZINFO.
- Ask The Alzheimer’s Association for the pamphlet “Understanding Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.” Information on contacting them is listed above under speakers.
- The website www.eisai.com has information on obtaining the manual “Caring to Help Others,” free of charge, to qualifying organizations. Or write to them at: Caring to Help Others, P.O. Box 212, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
Group Discussion
Once information on Alzheimer’s has been shared with the group, use the following subjects for discussion:
- Difficulties in obtaining an early diagnosis
- Tips for helping individuals obtain a diagnostic assessment
- Financial challenges
- Tips of addressing financial challenges
- Impact on children at home
- Helping children cope
- Finding appropriate support services
- Tips for helping families arrange support services
Service Projects
Staff Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients
Anyone who has cared for an Alzheimer’s patient at home knows the staffs at nursing homes have a difficult and demanding job. Write notes of encouragement and thanks to these caretakers. Have your group visit these homes with a new type of ministry. Put chocolates or deliver small wrapped gifts for the staff. In this way let them know their efforts are appreciated.
Family Matters
Possibly one of your members is dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s. Contact them to see if there is some way that your group can assist them.
Memory Walk
Participate in a Memory Walk sponsored by The Alzheimer’s Association. Information on this activity can be found on their website.
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Devotions
God’s Plan for You
We all have a tendency when we listen to a program on Alzheimer’s to question, specially when we start becoming forgetful, if we have the symptoms of that disease. If we are not careful, we can become paranoid to the point where it paralyzes us.
God has given us many promises in His Word. We read in Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” God has a plan for each of our lives and it is one that is for our good. Does that mean we will never get Alzheimer’s? No, but if we do, it will be in God’s plan and we need to make a conscious choice to accept His Word so that we can live each day full of joy.
A woman took a job at a nursing home where the patients were in the various stages of Alzheimer’s. One woman screamed for no apparent reason. Others would never leave their room. There was one sweet lady who always wanted to have tea. As the attendant began to learn the routine of caring for these individuals, they became more than just patients. She found that some had been completely abandoned by their family, probably because they didn’t know how to react to the Alzheimer’s. Some families came to visit but seemed distressed over how to deal with the effects of the disease, especially when their family no longer knew them.
As the nursing home worker learned more about the disease, she felt that God was using these special people to work on her heart. The Holy Spirit was leading her and filling her with newfound compassion. She began to think of what God expected of her.
As Christians, we must keep our focus on Jesus. Sometimes we get so stressed about the things of this world that we forget that He walks with us, even during the most difficult times. He never leaves us and always cares for us. He has a plan for our lives –and it’s a good plan.
Close by singing Song #44 “His Love Remains the Same,” The Salvation Army Song book.
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