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Alzheimer’s, Strokes, & AIDS

Alzheimer’s, Strokes, & AIDS. Ministry to the “Unreachable & Untouchable”. Alzheimer’s Disease 1. An organic disease conclusively diagnosable only through brain tissue examination (biopsy or post mortem) Brain atrophy is usually present on CT or MRI

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Alzheimer’s, Strokes, & AIDS

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  1. Alzheimer’s, Strokes, & AIDS Ministry to the “Unreachable & Untouchable”

  2. Alzheimer’s Disease 1 • An organic disease conclusively diagnosable only through brain tissue examination (biopsy or post mortem) • Brain atrophy is usually present on CT or MRI • Cognitive deficits develop slowly & deterioration is progressive. • Avg. life expectancy from onset to death is 8 to 10 years; great variance.

  3. Alzheimer’s 2 • Memory & other cognitive deficits occur early; motor dysfunction occurs late. • First-degree relatives of early onset (< age 65) are at increased risk • Signature characteristics: memory & language impairment (aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, disturbance in executive functioning)

  4. Ten A’s for Alzheimer’s Care 1 • Arguments are useless • Allow freedom & independence (safety!) • Actions help when verbalizations fail • Assume that they hear & understand • Appreciate good days or moments

  5. Ten A’s for Alzheimer’s Care 2 • Appropriate activities help pass time • Adapt the task to ability • Agitation alleviated by calm, reassuring, respectful responses • Adults are still adults (mental vs. social) • Assessment is ongoing

  6. Pastoral Care & Alzheimer’s • Care of Person & Family (Caregivers) • They remain a spiritual being despite cognitive losses. • Talk, pray, sing, read Scripture • Face your own uneasiness & don’t be in a hurry; visual cues of who you are. • KISP – “Keep It Simple, Pastor” (or KISS)

  7. Stroke (CVA) Victims 1 • CVA = Cardio-vascular accident • Typically occurs at night when blood flow slows • Thrombotic, hemorrhagic, embolic, & compression (worst prognosis) CVA’s • Better prognosis (1st three) if survive the first 30 days

  8. Stroke (CVA) Victims 2 • Left-Brain Injury = right hemiplegia & speech disturbance • Right Brain Injury = left hemiplegia & perceptual problems • Effects: emotional changes (organic) > crying inappropriately [swearing]; bladder incontinence

  9. Stroke (CVA) Victims 3 • Emotional Response: Panic – fear that God has deserted me; fear of death, insanity; feel complete hopelessness • Family often takes 100% responsibility for the stroke • Fears person will live as a vegetable • Fears person will die • Help family tolerate the panic

  10. AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome • Caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) • Death often comes through opportunistic diseases such as Pneumocystis cariniipneumonia. Kaposi’s sarcoma (cancer) also is common. • AIDS is incurable

  11. Ministry to Persons with AIDS 1 • Condemn? No. Condone? No. • Reconciliation & Comfort? Yes! • Do not be afraid to touch or hug • CONFIDENTIALITY is a must!! • Many are rejected by family, friends, & church community. Need a loving, caring, holy community.

  12. Ministry to Persons with AIDS 2 • The primary pastoral response will be to the grief associated with AIDS • Taking a leadership role in encouraging support by the church & community • If God’s children do not care, who will? • What Biblical/theological warrant is there for neglecting those afflicted with AIDS? • Wherein is God glorified?

  13. AIDS & Ministry Resources • Amos, William E, Jr. When AIDS Comes to Church. Westminster, 1988. • Hoffman, Patricia L. AIDS and the Sleeping Church. Eerdmans, 1995 • Shelp, Earl E., Ronald H. Sunderland, & Peter W.A. Mansell. AIDS: Personal Stories in Pastoral Perspective. Pilgrim Press, 1986.

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