Congregational Care News

How To Understand the Difference Between Dementia and Normal Aging

There are 10 warning signs of dementia. Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of dementia, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the signs, please see a doctor. Early diagnosis gives you a chance to seek treatment and plan for the future. If you have questions, call the Alzheimer's Association's confidential, toll-free Helpline any time: 1(800)272-3900.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later on.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems: Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What's a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure: People with dementia often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

What's a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

4. Confusion with time or place: People with dementia can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What's a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: For some people, having vision problems is a sign of dementia. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

What's a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing: People with dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: A person with dementia disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

What's a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

8. Decreased or poor judgment: People with dementia may experience changes in judgment or making decisions.

For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

What's a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: A person with dementia may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What's a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality: The mood and personalities of people with dementia can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What's a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of dementia in yourself or someone you know, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Dementia Caregivers Find Support

Marietta FUMC is forming a Dementia Caregiver Support Group. The group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. The group provides support and resources to those providing care to a person with any type of dementia. Through participation in the group, caregivers will be able to share their own experiences while receiving support and strength from others sharing a similar journey. Marilyn Crozier will facilitate the group. Contact Rev. Elaine Wilder at ext. 7826 for more information.

Are You Sharing the Journey of Someone with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease?

by Kathy Simpson

When your mother doesn't recognize you any more, how do you handle it--what do you do? What do you do when your mother wakens you at 2:30 a.m. to let you know that you're not home yet? As a part of the disease process, persons with dementia lose their...

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How Do Christians Respond to Tragedy and Suffering?

-by Rev. Elaine Wilder

Lately, many people in our community and world have experienced deep suffering. Whether it be the death of a loved one, the destruction caused by a tornado, or the pain of a broken relationship, the hurting is undeniable. And while some of us are hurting too much to even ask questions, many of us can't help but ask Why? Why did this happen to me? How could God allow such a thing? Where is God while I am hurting?

I have come to believe that terrible, destructive, undeserved tragedies are for the most part inexplicable. We cannot help but ask questions and search for explanation, but we always come up short. And if we turn to Scripture as our guide, our questions remain. Because the Bible does not offer any grand explanations of why bad things happen to good people. What Scripture does tell us over and over again, is that God is with us even when our pain feels unbearable.

Jesus is our primary example. In his teachings, Jesus offers few comments on why injustice and suffering occur. What he does instead is offer himself up as a fellow sufferer. United Methodist Bishop Will Willimon explains that as we see in the book of Hebrews, Jesus not only came to us, but suffered with us. He offered us not reasoned explanations, but rather empathetic, life-giving presence with us. He gave us not a great way to think about tragedy but a way of acting in and through tragedy.

As Christian believers, this is our calling. When someone we love is forced to look pain and suffering in the face, we have the opportunity to be that empathetic and life-giving presence. We can put our warm hearts and our active hands to work, reminding others that they are not alone. Because words and explanations often come up short, but a tangible gesture of love and support is undeniable.

Do you know someone who is suffering? Do you worry about how to respond? It can be as simple as a phone call to remind them you are thinking of them. It can be offering a meal even if they don't ask for it. It can be caring for their children so that they have some time to themselves. Whatever your support looks like, remember that while we may not understand why terrible things happen, we all have the ability to reach out and show our love.

With God's Help, Stephen Ministers Can Help You in Your Time of Being

On May 1, four new Stephen Ministers were commissioned: Betty Duncan, Justin Leaders, Julianne Long, and Guy VanHorn. They join our current Stephen Ministers in service to the congregation and the community of Marietta First United Methodist Church. Stephen Ministers are available each Sunday for prayer or conversation in the Prayer Room (Room 225) from 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Whether you are just lonely and need someone to talk to, have a burden you need to share, or wish someone to pray with you, a Stephen Minister is there to be present with you and meet you at your point of need.

New Stephen Ministry Class Forming This Fall

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, please call Pam Bohlander at (770) 977-2526. For more information on Stephen Ministry or if you would like the care of a Stephen Minister, please email Elaine Wilder or call ext. 7826.

Support Available

Life can be lonely and frightening at times but you don't have to face the challenges alone, maybe a Stephen Minister can help. Perhaps you've lost a relationship or a job, or are facing health-related changes and just need someone to walk along side you for a while. For information about receiving the care of a Stephen Minister, please call Rev. Elaine Wilder at 770-429-7800 ext. 7826.

Helping Hands Ministry

Ongoing

Ministry â€¨Need help with chores and projects that might be a little more than you can complete on your own? No job too small. If you have air conditioner filters that need changing, light bulbs a little out of reach or other routine chores that you need help with, we can help. For more information or to schedule a project, contact Bill Reddick or Forrest Cate at ext. 7806.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings at MFUMC

Thursdays | 6:00 p.m. | Lower Room Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. For more information, contact Nita Bertsche at nita@myvillagebuilders.com or Forrest Cate ext. 7806.