Tracy Newcomb, Sun Lakes Community Church
Dementia. One word with so much weight to it. One word that can strike fear, or at least some apprehension, into the strongest of people. One word which so many of us are all too familiar with.
As if the word isn’t difficult enough to deal with, the statistics are even more staggering. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three Americans will have some form of dementia before they die. The Alzheimer’s Disease International organization tells us that someone around the world is diagnosed with dementia every 3.2 seconds.
It is clear that almost every one of us will know someone with dementia during our lifetime, if we don’t already. It might be a friend, a loved one, or even ourselves facing that diagnosis now or at some point in the future.
Many of those who have watched someone struggling with dementia say that it is something they wouldn’t wish on their worst enemy, so the thought of people we love dealing with this awful disease is hard to bear. We don’t often realize how much confidence and value we place in our abilities to think, reason, reflect, remember, problem solve, and do both basic and advanced tasks. When we can no longer do these things, whether it’s from dementia or other illnesses, it is hard not to become discouraged, depressed, and lose hope.
I’m reminded of the verse from the psalmist, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). It’s easy to say our trust and hope is in God and not in things or even other people, but when we face challenges like dementia in our lives or the lives of our loved ones, we come face to face with the realities that our trust and hope in God is not always as easy or complete as we may have thought. The good news is that no matter what struggles and doubts we face, nothing, not even dementia, can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). He loves us in the midst of our frustration and doubt. He loves us when we may not even be able to fully remember Him.
He also places people and resources around us. Our church is fortunate to be able to partner with one of the groups offering resources for caregivers and those dealing with dementia this month. On Thursday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m., Susan Wahler from Makers of Care will be leading a workshop on “Dealing with Dementia” in the Chapel Center next to the Sun Lakes Chapel. This workshop is open to the public. So, if you or someone you know is dealing with dementia or if you would just like more information to be prepared for the future, please feel free to contact our church office for more information.