What happens to faith when Christians get dementia? Here, the unique voices of Christians who live with this illness bring insight and prompt theological reflection on the profound questions that dementia asks of faith. Within the boundaries of a biblical agenda, these questions are explored using a model of orientation, disorientation, and reorientation (reminiscent of Brueggemann's scheme), to seek deeper understanding of faith experience and practice. Arising from the research, fresh theological insights and challenges for the church call for new, creative practices to enable the faith nurture of disciples of Jesus living with this disease. Counterintuitively, the study reveals a growing, positive experience of faith in the light of dementia highlighting the significance of Christian hope. Faith does not end with diagnosis of this illness.

What happens to faith if you get dementia? Does the real "you" disappear? Does your relationship with God evaporate as neurons begin to disconnect? Will you forget God? Here, the voices of Christians from the evangelical tradition bring insight to the profound questions faith encounters amidst the disorientation of dementia: ". . . even when my brain falls apart . . . nothing can separate me from the love of God . . . faith is stronger." 'Tricia Williams seeks deeper understanding of their faith experience and practice through careful listening and theological reflection within the boundaries of a biblical agenda: who I am, knowing God, experience and practice of faith, the shadows of suffering, embodied memory, spiritual growth, and hope for now. Fresh theological insights and challenges for the church call for creative practices to nurture the faith of disciples of Jesus who live with this disease: "They must remind me." In this book, these voices reveal a growing, positive experience of faith in the light of dementia--and of hope in Christ. Faith does not end with diagnosis: "God . . . has not forgotten me."

The research brings fresh theological insights, and highlights the need for new, creative practices which enable the faith nurture and support of disciples of Christ who are living with this disease. This period of early to moderate dementia provides opportunity for consideration of these issues, and for hearing the voices of those who live with dementia.

Sensing God's presence is difficult when faced with Alzheimer's Disease among family and loved ones. This book brings faith and hope to these trying circumstances, offering the witness of the Bible and the insights of theology to show how God continues to work in people's lives even in the midst of fearful disease.

This personal, intimate journey weaves the theme and experience of walking through the maze, confusion and intense emotional pain of watching someone you love disappearing into a mist of dementia. Kathleen examines the emotional, physical and spiritual battle that rages while juggling the very practical and mundane duties of facing a health crisis. Added to this, for a believer in Jesus Christ, are the throes of faith-challenging issues which inevitably surface. This book probes the devastation of watching her strong, loving and very funny husband morph into a diminished soul, whose personality has disappeared, but who insists that he is fine, leaving her to deal with the myriads of broken pieces of their lives and the ongoing grieving process which has no end in sight.. Told in a journalistic style, with writings from personal journals kept over a period of four years, Kathy relates all of the ins and outs, the ups and downs, of wading through crucial decisionsboth financial and health, as well as emotional decisions to trust God, who at times seems an unfamiliar friend. It follows this faith journey through to the end result which is that no matter where God may take our lives, and no matter how the story ends, He is enough and He can be trusted and He does have a plan in mind, regardless of how murky that plan might appear in the process. Kathleen invites us into the journey through this process and leaves us with overcoming victory in Christ.

There is hope in Alzheimer's disease, but it isn't where most people look for it... Any form of dementia is terrifying and lonely for both the one suffering it and for those close to them. How do our relationships with those we love change with loss of memory or clarity of thought? What happens to our relationship with God? For those suffering from early-stage Alzheimer's, for their friends and family, community and church, this book will help you understand the disease itself, how to love and care for those affected by it, and how to see the hope that's greater than it: we may forget, but God always remembers. With pastoral tenderness and gospel confidence, Dr. Benjamin Mast shares his expertise on the subject and displays the power of the gospel that remains intact even when memory fades. Second Forgetting provides: Up-to-date answers to common questions about the disease and its effect on personal identity and faith. Personal stories of those affected and the loved ones who care for them and what their experiences were like—where they found hope and how they most needed support. Practical suggestions for how the church can come alongside families and those struggling or hurting. When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they face great uncertainty, knowing that they can expect to live their remaining years with increasing confusion and progressively greater reliance upon other people to care for them. Dr. Mast will help you see how Alzheimer's disease cannot have the final say on God's unforgotten children.

Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, John Swinton redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

FROM DEMENTIA TO SALVATION is a personal testimony of God's amazing mercy and grace for the salvation of an old man who was near death with Dementia. The Lord laid it on Denise's heart to pray for and believe God for Arthur to receive God's free gift of salvation, by hearing the Gospel and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. While in the natural it would seem a fruitless thing to do, however, with faith in the all-powerful Creator, Denise believed God for His promises. She needed to have faith and obey the Lord as He instructed her according to His purpose. As you read this testimony, it is Denise's prayer that you find encouragement and faith in the Lord for your own life.

"The book will be valuable for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers and lecturers involved in the field of dementia care and the health-care sciences. Furthermore, it provides a useful resource for clinicians who wish to explore their understanding of 'personhood', person-centred care and the nature of Kitwood's critical appraisal of how 'care' should be constructed and delivered." Ageing and Society "Baldwin and Capstick have produced an honest appraisal that is undeniably a reader and critical commentary, and have not shirked from any responsibilities. ... This paperback would serve two distinct strands of readership equally well - those coming afresh to dementia care, or practitioners steeped in the concepts, who are looking to reanalyse and consider future developments. As such, it is difficult to underestimate its value." Nursing in Practice How does Kitwood’s work contribute to our understanding of ‘the dementing process’ and the essentials of quality care? How was Kitwood’s thinking about dementia influenced by the wider context of his work in theology, psychology and biochemistry? What is the relevance today of key themes and issues in Kitwood’s work? Tom Kitwood was one of the most influential writers on dementia of the last 20 years. Key concepts and approaches from his work on person-centred care and well-being in dementia have gained international recognition and shaped much current thinking about practice development. The complexities of Kitwood’s work and the development of his thinking over time have, however, received less attention. This Reader brings together twenty original publications by Kitwood which span the entire period of his writing on dementia, and the different audiences for whom he wrote. Almost ten years after Kitwood’s death, it is now timely to review his contribution to the field of dementia studies in the light of more recent developments and from a critical and interdisciplinary perspective. The introduction to this Reader summarises and problematises some of the key characteristics of Kitwood’s writing. Each of the four themed sections begins with a commentary offering a balanced consideration of the strengths of Kitwood’s work, but also of its limitations and oversights. The Reader also includes a biography and annotated bibliography. Tom Kitwood on Dementia: A Reader and Critical Commentary is key reading for students of social work or mental health nursing, with an interest in dementia care. Professionals working with people with dementia will also find it invaluable. Additional Contributors: Habib Chaudhury, Deborah O’Connor, Alison Phinney, Barbara Purves, Ruth Bartlett.