Serving Those With Dementia

https://edmondsam.blogspot.com/2025/06/dementia-care.html

This should be hung in every dementia care home and in hospitals where there are patients with dementia.

If I get dementia, I’d like my family to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things.

And I would add one more:

Every time you enter the room announce yourself.

“Hi Mom- it’s Margaret.”

NEVER ask- Do you know who I am??? That causes anxiety.

1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality.

2. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it.

3. If I get dementia, don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you.

4. If I get dementia, and I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me.

5. If I get dementia, and can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet, and see if I can still feed myself.

6. If I get dementia, and I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded.

7. If I get dementia, I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am.

8. If I get dementia, I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends.

9. If I get dementia, ask me to tell you a story from my past.

10. If I get dementia, and I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me.

11. If I get dementia, treat me the way that you would want to be treated.

12. If I get dementia, make sure that there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now if I don’t eat I get angry, and if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining what I need.

13. If I get dementia, don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room.

14. If I get dementia, don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live.

15. If I get dementia, and I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often.

16. If I get dementia, don’t act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault.

17. If I get dementia, make sure I always have my favorite music playing within earshot.

18. If I get dementia, and I like to pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original place.

19. If I get dementia, don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings.

20. If I get dementia, know that I still like receiving hugs or handshakes.

21. If I get dementia, remember that I am still the person you know and love.”

For more, go to

Links to More:

https://edmondsam.blogspot.com/search/label/Dementia

Illustrations and Thoughts about Caring & Two Horses

Many Quotes With Links and Encouragement about Caregiving

My Blog Dedicated to Being Servants Who Care Because of Christ

https://inspiringquotes.com/20-inspiring-quotes-for-caregivers/?lctg=5a79be5e-f5eb-42c8-b987-689da228e9fb

Links to my other blogs

I continue to work on and add to each one of these to keep them active and up to date. Constantly adding my old material and adding fresh content.

Title: Click on the title below to go to blog	Brief description of each blog
Off-The-Church-Walls	Humor blog
Real Life Quotes	Growing Quote collection.
Real Life Enrichment	Practical information for everyday life.
Parable	Inspiring devotional illustrations
Preacher Points	Place for sermon outlines and resources
Kevin Rayner's Ministry to God @ The Edmond Church of Christ	Many current resources currently being used at the Edmond Church of Christ
Edmond Oklahoma SAM's	Information for helping Seniors
Rayner Resources	Hub for my information online
Magnify Jesus	A look at the Christ's life and teachings
Christ's Church	Reflecting on the followers of Christ
Real Life Conversion	How lives are changed by Christ
Oaks of Righteousness	Where to focus on becoming more fully devoted followers of Christ
"Overtime Church"	More challenging thoughts for the disciple that is most serious about Jesus. Theology for the night owl, weekend worker, or Bible student who wants to learn more.
Kevin's Komment	Online commentary and resources to better understand scripture.
Real Life Servant Maker	For the Christian growing with a Christ-like servant attitude toward others.
Becoming Great Neighbors	Encouragement to love and serve your neighbor
Edmond Church of ChristHospitality	Helping each Christian become more hospitable.

Holy Hospitality

"And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:44-45

The service industry racks up billions of dollars each year in sales because people loved to be waited on hand and foot. But this idea of being served didn't just start with the hospitality industry.

Jesus' disciples thought they were going to get a taste of the good life. After all, they were going to be hanging out with the savior of the world. They kept waiting for Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom, and they postured themselves to be his right hand men. But didn't understand Jesus' purpose on earth.

Jesus came to earth to serve. He traveled from town to town spreading God's life-changing message, healing those in need, confronting the oppressive religious leaders of the day, and ultimately, giving his life for anyone who was willing to accept him. Jesus showed the disciples what it meant to serve, but they missed it.

Servanthood is a litmus test for the Christian life. Do you find yourself in the same boat as the disciples, expecting to be served rather than to serve? If so, you're missing out on all that God has for you. Take your cue from Jesus, serve someone else and discover just what it means to live life to the fullest.

Courageous Compassion: A Prophetic Homiletic in Service to the Church

Good read by Jerry Taylor

Oliver Cromwell

During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the British government began to run low on silver for coins.  Lord Cromwell sent his men on an investigation of the local cathedral to see if they could find any precious metal there.  After investigating, they reported:

"The only silver we could find is in the statues of the saints standing in the corners."

To which the radical soldier and statesman of England replied:
"Good!  We'll melt down the saints and put them into circulation!"

The direct order states the essence... the kernel... the practical goal of authentic Christianity.  Not rows of silver saints, highly polished, frequently dusted, crammed into corners of elegant cathedrals.  Not plaster people cloaked in thin layers of untarnished silver and topped with a metallic halo.  But real persons.  Melted saints circulating through the mainstream of humanity.

Text: 2 Cor 4:7-11, Matt 5:13, Mark 9:50, Luke 14:34

SERVANT: A Minute With John Maxwell, Free Coaching Video

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