When we try to attend Church, it seems something ALWAYS goes wrong!”

When caring for someone with dementia, isolation develops as an increasing challenge for family caregivers.  Many caregivers feel cut off from places of comfort and community, such as attending church. A number of frustrating and embarrassing mishaps can await most caregivers and their loved ones, so the seclusion increases.

Yet, pushing back against that isolation benefits not only the caregiver, but the loved one with dementia as well.  Churches and places of worship provide great comfort, strength, and community to a family living with a member suffering from dementia.  Attending those places for a long as possible helps both the caregiver and the loved one with dementia. While caregivers valiantly try, it takes a bit more than effort to make it a positive experience for the caregiver and loved one.  It takes a bit of planning and communication.

Dementia Care expert, Tracey Maxfield, RN, serves as a regular contributor to our radio show for caregivers.  She recently provided several tips when taking a loved one with dementia out in public—and specifically to church.

With a little planning and upfront communication with church leaders, Tracey  shares that a trip to a house of worship becomes a meaningful experience instead of an ordeal.

A few of Tracey’s tips:

• Before leaving the house, make sure you have an ID bracelet for your loved one.  If you don’t want to do a bracelet, print off cards with the patient’s name, a contact number, as well as an address.  In addition, it’s advisable to add, “I suffer from dementia, please stay with me until we find my caregiver.”
• Take along a bag with water, a snack, and clean clothes.
• Be last in and first out.