by Clergy Against Alzheimer’s Network
CreateSpace Independent Publishing, Washington, D.C. 179 pages
REVIEWED BY RICHARD L. MORGAN
Although there is a plethora of books on caring for persons with Alzheimer’s or dementia, this is a unique kind of book for caregivers. Why? Because it is a multifaith book which includes a wide spectrum of religious traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths. These 140 meditations, written by caregivers from 17 faith traditions, offer support, encouragement and hope to the 15.5 million caregivers of Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Although writing from different religious traditions, all are united in their support of caregivers. It is project of the Clergy Against Alzheimer’s Network, a multifaith organization that seeks to bring Alzheimer’s out of the shadows of fear and denial and to overcome the stigma that continues to haunt this ever-growing disease.
Among the writers are 11 Presbyterian pastors or care specialists. Daniel C. Potts, a neurologist, and Presbyterian elder from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, urges that we listen and be present with people who have dementia. He writes, “We need to enter their world, because they can’t come back to ours. We must lay aside expectations, change our paradigm, and learn how to listen to them and speak their language.” This book does just that, as many voices of different faiths, demonstrate that the person is still present when people suffer from dementia, possessing an identity and dignity that cannot be stolen by this scary disease. In these meditations, many concerns of caregivers are addressed including how to engage with a loved one with Alzheimer’s and how music can be used to reach those when words fail. In addition, dealing with guilt when placing a loved one in a care facility, coping with the needs of the spouse of a caregiver, ways to care for oneself and prayers from many religious traditions make this a valuable resource.
One feature of the book is the artwork done by Lester E. Potts who became a watercolor artist in the throes of Alzheimer’s disease. A rural saw miller who had not previously shown any artistic talent, he developed his art while a resident in a memory care facility. Such amazing art has not only given hope that there is light in the darkness of this disease, but enabled caregivers to use his art to engage with people with Alzheimer’s who otherwise might be silent and unresponsive.
Until a cure is found, the incidence of persons with Alzheimer’s will continue to grow — having currently reached 5.4 million in America. A recent cause of concern is that 200,000 Americans have been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s; it is not only an older person’s dilemma, but a disease that knows no respect of persons. This book needs to be shared not only with families and friends who care for persons with dementia, but also with clergy and care professionals. The short and direct meditations are a blessing for caregivers and also lend themselves for study by church groups or other health communities. “Seasons of Caring” is a treasure for anyone who loves someone with dementia and proves that the transparent spirit is still “in there.”
RICHARD L. MORGAN is a retired Presbyterian minister and author of “No Act of Love Is Ever Wasted: The Spirituality for Caring for Persons with Dementia.”
