photo by Jimmy Hemphill: flickr.com/photos/jimmah_v
Quite a few people have reached this web site while searching for prayers related to those with Alzheimer's and dementia, and their caregivers. I have searched for dementia-related prayers too, and unfortunately I have not found many resources in this area. Since this blog is titled "Praying the Long Goodbye," I decided to compose a few prayers myself, and I have listed here some links that will take you to a pdf of each prayer. If you arrived here looking for prayers, I hope these help you!
I have gathered a version of these prayers into a trifold brochure -- "Alzheimer's & Dementia Prayers" -- which you can download here. Or you can view each prayer individually by clicking the links below.
In addition, I have posted a more general healing prayer in another blog entry -- "Sign of the Cross Healing Prayer". This prayer is from my book Magellan's Shadow: Faith Poems, so if you use it publicly I would appreciate your noting the copyright information you see on the prayer card on the blog page -- "From Magellan's Shadow, copyright Barbara Booth Hemphill 2004".
Suggested Scripture reading: If you are using these prayers in the context of a healing service, or ministry with the sick, you might consider reading the story of the healing of the man with the withered hand (Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11). Alzheimer's and other progressive dementias cause the brain to wither, neuron by neuron. As plaques and tangles disrupt their function, neurons basically shrivel and pull away from one another. The brain loses its volume and shrinks. This structural, physical withering, gradually occurring over a long period of time, echoes in the progressive outward diminishment of functional ability and quality of life. This is the relevance of the scripture passage for people with progressive dementia. Is it any harder to heal a withered brain than a withered hand?
