Dementia, God, and the Church – part 2

In our second extract from Dementia, God, and the Church: Journeying with hope, Frances Attwood considers how churches could better support families living with dementia. Frances’ section of the book is based on extensive practical experience, wide-ranging research in local churches and communities, and theological reflection. This article is an edited extract from her last chapter.

19 July 2026

A biblical perspective

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Churches are ideally placed, being both historically and geographically in the centre of most communities, to offer care, connection, and social and spiritual support to families living with dementia.

But before they undertake any action, churches need to reflect on their beliefs about dementia and their attitudes to people living with this condition. We are so influenced by the negative messages about the condition that we need to step back in order to allow our thinking to be guided by a biblical perspective. As the first part of this book indicates, Christians should allow their beliefs to be challenged, particularly by the lived experiences of those with faith and dementia.

We begin, then, with the humble acknowledgement that we are all recipients of God’s love before we can do anything: it is God’s regard that attributes worth to people, not any ability.

According to psychologist Tom Kitwood, being a person is a status ‘bestowed’ by others through relationship. It follows that the identity of people living with dementia can be preserved by those around them. As Christian communities we need to enable people living with dementia to sense God’s ongoing personal knowledge of them and to support them in finding ways to express their unique and precious identity as those created in God’s image.

The support of a whole fellowship

For this ministry to flourish, it needs the support of the whole local church behind it in willingness to give time, space, service, and prayer support.

This commitment needs to permeate planning, so that there is a conscious consideration that the activities offered by a church are accessible to people living with dementia and that there is a sensitisation of everyone within the church to their needs. The result is an ethos that pervades the whole church, from the patience shown to visitors to the café, the willingness of all staff to jump to the aid of someone who is confused, and the whole sense of welcome from the church.

But it is too easy to assume that, because someone has short-term memory loss or other symptoms, they have lost every ability. People living with dementia may still be able to perform tasks, particularly ones they have carried out for years. It is important not to make assumptions, but to recognise what an individual might still be able to do.

At the same time, it may be stressful for someone to continue their role as they are aware of new difficulties in performing their tasks. It requires great sensitivity to ascertain what someone may feel able to do, or to know what additional help might enable them to continue in their role.

If we are only taking into account their cognitive ability, we are missing other important facets of them as unique people created by God, such as their character, their consideration of others, their dexterity, or their sense of humour. We need to appreciate other aspects of people than just their abilities.

Church members can work together to encourage and bless people living with dementia, as well as being blessed by them, recognising their abilities and helping them avoid loneliness and isolation. The image of Psalm 92 could be applied to people living with dementia as much as any other older people:

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green.
Psalm 92:12–14 (NIV)

Demonstrating love

The very pinnacle of this practical, interrelational functioning of a church is love. Without being specialists, churches can make such a difference by showing practical care, acceptance, and commitment to these families.

Even if there are no specific activities or any targeted support for people living with dementia, love makes a difference to them and their family carers. This loving care can be manifested in a readiness to act, an openness of mind, and a concern for this group that ensures they are provided for.

What people often most need is simple: the opportunity to meet in a safe environment, to get out from their homes where possible, to have some stimulation – to feel loved. Without being experts, churches can improve the experience of families living with dementia.

Instilling hope

Ultimately, we are directing people, through our loving presence, towards a relationship with God himself, which can offer the hope and strength to sustain families living with dementia.

When we realise the value that God puts on every life, we have reasons to remain hopeful. We believe God’s love for us began when he chose us ‘before the creation of the world’ (Ephesians 1:4), continued when we were ‘knit together’ in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), has remained unwavering throughout our whole lives (Psalm 37:25), is promised to the end of our days on earth (Psalm 23:6a), and keeps us in his everlasting love (Psalm 23:6b). So often the Bible encourages us to take stock of what God has already done in our lives to encourage us to trust him for the future.

The promise of Romans 8:39 that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ must include dementia, so this gives a real hope to those who know and are known by him. We should pray for those who already have this personal relationship, that they continue to have a sense of his presence, which is possible even with declining cognition, as personal testimonies confirm.

So, in all these various ways, and no doubt others which I have not thought of, we can offer the support, encouragement, and hope that families living with dementia need in the immediate and long-term.

This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5 (CSB)