Dementia: opening the door on small tragedies

Related resources the steering group have been reading include:-

Dementia: Frank and Linda’s Story. New Understanding, new approaches, new hope. Louise Morse (2010) Pilgrim Homes
This book has heart, hope and well written information full of understanding of the context of a real life story. Empathetic people will probably will need a box of tissues. Each section ends with ‘points to ponder’. The index helps the reader use this text again and again. Recommended reading from Stella Collishaw.

Scripture Union resources 'Being with God: A Bible and prayer guide for people with dementia.'
Words of Faith ISBN 978 1 84427 521 2 / Words of Hope ISBN 978 1 84427 520 5 / Words of Peace ISBN 978 1 84427 522 9
These are some particularly readable and practical resources. They are aimed at people who are or plan to engage from a Christian perspective with people with Dementia / Alzheimer’s disease. Each booklet includes music CD resource.

Lighting the Way. Spiritual and religious care for those with dementia. Patricia Higgins and Richard Allen.

Being Rather than Doing Occasional Paper 13, David Wainwright (2001) Christian Council on Ageing

Second Half of Life. Meeting the spiritual needs of people with Dementia. Baptist Church Mission department in association with Gaynor Hammond and Alison John. Baptist Mission Files April 2010. Free to download at: http://www.baptist.org.uk/age-specific-mission.html
Bite sized information helping churches to understand what they can do / why what they do is valuable. This may be helpful in Mission Action Planning or to transform the churches understanding of the mission value of this work. Recommended reading in advance of attending the conference.

Contented Dementia  Oliver James (2009) Vermillion. ISBN 9780091901813

Insight into dementia by Rosemary Hurtley.  Waverley Abbey Insight Series.  £8.99
Rosemary Hurtley is an Occupational Therapist working in the Older People sector.  She is a Christian.  The book explains what it is like to have dementia, examining its impact, outlining options and strategies for care, and much more.  It comes recommended by Adrian Rimington.

"Searching for Serenity" - Spirituality in later life. Jim McManus and Stephanie Thornton. (Redemptorist), ISBN -13: 978-0-85231-360-0

"They take an honest look at every aspect of old age and show how, far from being a time of loss - loss of health, the vigour of youth, the occupations which have been the basis of our identity, those we love, and the possibility even our mental faculties - it is one of God's most wonderful gifts, a time for real spiritual growth.

Each chapter contains a meditation as a practical exercise in deepening our understanding of ageing, and how it affects us as individuals. ..... It is a book for believer and non-believer."

I would be giving a copy to every clergy person due to retire. It is excellent and I wish it had come my way before my own retirement from full time parish ministry.  Bernard Sproston

Losing Clive to Younger Onset Dementia

One Family's Story Helen Beaumont, 2008.

Spirituality and Personhood in Dementia

Albert Jewell (2011)

Between Remembering and Forgetting
The Spiritual Dimensions of Dementia
by James Woodward, Mowbray, 2010.

Spirituality, Values and Mental Health

Jewels for the Journey

Edited by Mary Ellen Coyte, Peter Gilbert and Vicky Nicholls
Foreword by John Swinton 2007.

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