(Originally posted on dementialettersproject.com February 2018)

Ash Wednesday is almost here and the start of Lent. This is a day that starts a 40-day journey of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It is a special day (though not a Holy Day of Obligation) and one that should be treated as such. For many of those living with dementia, this is has become another day of the year, another moment blurring together with other moments, and not by choice, but by loss. Many care partners and care communities (unless placed in an excellent Catholic, Methodist, or Lutheran community) don’t see this day as important for the one they care for, feeling that because they don’t know what day it is, or may not remember this day, faith yet again is thrown out when it should instead be placed prominently in a person’s life. I know not all of you are Christian, or even religious, but if the person we are caring for is, then how can we respect their faith? How can we help them on this Lenten journey?

As always I speak through the lens of a practicing Catholic, please feel free to adjust what I share to match the faith of those you care for each day. If you yourself are unfamiliar with the Lenten season reach out to those who are, myself included, and work with them. A spiritual and religious life is included in living well with dementia. Each person you care for will be in different places in faith life and in their dementia, adjust to both their physical and spiritual needs instead of throwing up your arms and tossing faith out. While Lent is frequently about what we give up and sacrifice, the season should not be another moment lost because of dementia.

Here are a few recommendations and thoughts about how we can help our loved ones live well through this upcoming Lenten season.

On Ash Wednesday: If you can (and try hard to makes this happen) take your loved one to Mass/service. Allow them to come together in communion with fellow members of the church to receive the ashes, hear the readings, and receive communion. If this is not feasible go to them, offer to read the readings (they are always available online), pray with them, and find a way to get them the ashes. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This powerful message for all of us is especially impactful for those who are nearing the end of their life. It is not a message of doom, but one of great hope. One that inspires us to move closer to Jesus so that we might be reunited with him.

Throughout Lent, we are asked to do three things. Pray, Fast, and Give Alms.
Prayer: This is something that should continue throughout the year regardless of the season. Pray with your loved one, find a spiritual director, deacon, priest, religious sisters, or other lay ministers and residents who might come together to pray. Even if they are unable to speak, invite them to sit with you to listen to the familiar rhythm of the prayers, finding comfort in the words. If there are books you can read out loud or in a book club format include this in your care plan and programming. Books like Matthew Kelly’s Rediscover Jesus, are written in short chunks that don’t require you to remember from day to day what you read. Help them attend Mass/service each week. Set aside time to listen to a faith-based podcast or Relevant Radio each day. Cultivate a group of individuals in the care community that can pray together. Bring a crucifix and rosary into their room if they don’t have one already. Bring Holy Water with you during your visit. Use the devotionals the church prints each year.
Fasting: Now, they don’t have to fast (one normal meal and two small meals that make up no more than one normal meal) or abstain from meat, but if they want to and it is in keeping with what is healthy and safe for them to do, allow them to do so. Don’t fight it, embrace it. This includes Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent and on Good Friday. Fasting is also more than food, and because of dietary restrictions, this may not be an option. Work with your loved one to find something that they may fast from during this time. It can be from negative language or a set time of TV. I once met a woman who fasted from wearing her favorite sweater during this time, as a way to remind herself that there is more to life than her favorite sweater. Get creative!
Almsgiving: Almsgiving typically means money. A sticky situation when working with a loved one with dementia. So if the giving of money during the time is not an option, you may get creative here as well. Maybe it is sending cards to the staff at the care community, working to be more positive about life, attending programs and events when someone extends an invitation (so long as they are safely able to do so) or giving that bingo prize to someone else in the group. There are many ways to give that are not financial.

During Holy Week: Help them attend Mass/service on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, or spend extra time in prayer with them on these days. Bringing them a blessed palm and communion on Sunday, reading the 7 Last Words on Good Friday, and singing Alleluia with them on Easter Sunday. Allow this week, and these moments to bring a new joy to their life. Support them in their spiritual growth, help them grow closer to Christ.

If you have any questions about this time, this season, or are struggling to help your loved one on their Lenten journey, reach out. Email me, contact your local church or care community chaplain. We are here to help. May God bless you as you care for your loved ones with dementia. May He guide both of you this Lenten and Easter season.