According to the Alzheimer’s Association: “Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia”. As I prepared to write, I googled the subject for something inspiring. One of my responses was: “God is present in the lives of people with dementia, and their relationship with God is not undermined by the condition”, but let’s get onto why it is I write on this subject now.

I’ve been thinking recently about all sorts of people, often very intelligent, that were compos mentis in their earlier years and full of life but lost some/many of their mental faculties later in their lives, including some super spiritual and very much with-it Christians. Then, as I was going through some of my papers earlier on, I came across some concerning the death and funeral arrangements of the missionary who led me to Christ all those years ago, and noting that, toward the end, he and his wife were living with dementia and that it was his wish to be with the Lord he had long loved and served.

This is also an issue with me. These days, I am suffering from a physical disability that limits me a lot in what I am able to do but am thankful I still have the mental ability to write an article such as this despite noting my lapses in memory and propensity to repeat myself. A joke between me and Mrs B is when I do something wrong, which is often, I am not allowed to excuse myself on the grounds I am going doolally. It was an issue with my late mother whose dementia got progressively worse in the ten year period leading up to her death. I am grateful to my sister and wife for their foresight, compassion, doggedness and practical help in trying to do what was needed to make her life as comfortable we could, helping to maintain her dignity and some independence, including setting up powers of attorney and ensuring the the right care package was in place throughout the stages of her worsening dementia journey, which was for all of us a mix of pain, joy and facing the unknown.

I confess that prior to my mother experience, and despite working in the area of mental health disability, I didn’t give dementia much thought in my earlier life but, besides these personal experiences, I have become increasingly aware of people, including solid, dedicated Christians, who in their later life succumbed to dementia and noting the affects it had on them and those who were close to them. The “why” question aimed toward God is merely an extension to the why do the righteous suffer conundrum (and is especially poignant concerning folk who have dedicated their lives to God and others) that has beset humankind ever since the days of Job.

In seeking a credible answer and to make sense of what is clearly observable when it comes to dementia, despite often those with the condition convincingly showing this is no issue with them, I could reflect that it helps us to see how transient life is and the need to make the most of it and to focus on the Lord and higher things, as well as to consider our responses to those around us who manifest dementia symptoms, along with their families and carers, showing understanding. This is another of life’s mysteries and is one that should remind us how important it is to make the most of the here and now, and the people we know and love, irrespective of health.