Could it Be Dementia … was one of the first books to discuss the Christian, spiritual aspects of dementia.
Some readers comments were:
‘It was wonderful. I hadn’t any experience with Dementia at all, so I really appreciated her easy explanation of all the various kinds of Dementia. Her book was a tremendous blessing and it was so easy to read. I enjoyed many a café outing engrossed in her writing. As a consequence I felt more informed and appreciated the examples she gave of how to handle this awful disease.’
‘’ This is an excelling book, written with great sensitivity. It helped me to understand what my mother was experiencing, and how to interact with her when she had dementia,
I turn to it now, as I have suspected early-onset dementia.’
‘As we are dealing with two people with dementia this book was extremely helpful. Full of ‘helps’ and information. It is also Biblically stimulating with regard to ‘ageism’, which seems to be something the media likes to promote. Its good to have a sense of perspective with regards to getting old, and also perhaps facing dementia. There is great hope in the God of our Salvation and we look forward to having a new body, where sin, pain and suffering has no part. This book could be a wonderful resource to those with family or friends that seem to suffering in this way.
Chapters outline:
Chapter 1
Finding wonders in the dark
Dementia means ‘away from the mind’, or ‘out of the mind’. The Bible tells us that ‘out of mind’ does not mean out of sight of God.
Chapter 2
Where is the real me?
Where does our personality come from, and where does it reside in us?
Chapter 3
The thief that comes to destroy
A survey of the causes of dementia.
Chapter 4
The importance of belonging
Loneliness has been identified as a precursor of dementia. There are many lonely people in the world, but Christians should not be among them.
Chapter 5
The ‘ifs’ that are not dementia
Some conditions mimic dementia, and are treatable.
Chapter 6
Prevention
A review of the steps experts say we can take in order to avoid developing dementia
Chapter 7
Diagnosing dementia
It’s been called ‘Living with Death’. Yet there is empathy, understanding and hope in the Scriptures.
Chapter 8
Listening
Scientists, government, families and carers all need to actively listen to people with dementia.
Chapter 9
A cup of cold water
How dementia is an opportunity for churches to ‘let their light shine’.
Chapter 10
Sharing the sufferings of Christ
The pain of being misunderstood, of loneliness and rejection felt by dementia sufferers is reflected in the Psalms and in the sufferings of Christ .
Chapter 11
Soul Talk
Communicating at soul level, and seeing the person, not the dementia.
Chapter 12
What’s happening to grandma?
Coping in the family – explaining what is happening to children, and others, and giving them tactics to help them manage.
Chapter 13
Serving one another
The call of Christ is to serve. This chapter has some practical ideas that churches, and Christian groups can adopt to help people with dementia and their caregivers.
Chapter 14
This is our day!
Although dementia is more prevalent in the older age groups, not everyone will develop it. But instead of being respected and valued, many older people will experience negative attitudes. This short chapter is for those who have achieved, or are about to achieve, their crown of splendour.
