Imagine that your spouse of forty years woke up one day and didn’t know who you were, or that you found yourself caring for a parent who couldn’t perform basic tasks. Many of us are all too familiar with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease—a progressive neurological disorder that affects one in ten Americans over the age of 65. We know how rapidly the disorder can take hold, and it’s hard to overlook the dramatic impact the disease has, both on family relationships and individual well-being.

For the last ten years at Grace Church, we have hosted a ministry support group for those in our church family who are caring for loved ones with dementia. Our desire is to come alongside these faithful people and help them in whatever way possible.

If you’re interested in serving these families in our church, there are many opportunities.

1. Attend the Saturday meetings to learn what the changing needs are.

• Help with refreshments and/or administrative projects
• Provide prayer support

2. Assist these families in respite care for a few hours a week.

• Give the family the opportunity to get some chores done
• Allow the family to go to church
• Help the family when they bring their loved one to church (with parking and other issues that may come up)

As Christians, we benefit from our seniors. We can learn much about God’s grace and mercy from their experiences, looking to their example for encouragement and help as we walk through life’s peaks and valleys. We also benefit as we find opportunities to care for our elders as Christ cares for us (Galatians 6:2).

We have a great opportunity here to serve and honor the Lord by ministering to these precious families. If you are interested in coming alongside to help us, call Pastor Rick McClean at 818-909-5519.