Dementia: Living in the Memories of God

John Swinton, professor of practical theology and pastoral care at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and founding director of the Centre for Spirituality, Health, and Disability has written Dementia: Living in the Presence of God (Eerdmans, 2012). In it he explores the question: Who Am I? by looking at the different definitions of what constitutes a person. He approaches dementia as a thoroughly theological condition. His basic premise is that standard neurobiological explanations of dementia are deeply inadequate for a full understanding of the nature and experience of dementia. He challenges the notion that when people lose their memories that they are no longer the person they were before. Human beings are much more than bundles of memories. Instead our identity is tightly held in the memories of God.He questions the description of personhood in terms of purely human relationships. "The problem is that if it is our relationships that make up our personhood, then presumably if we don't have such relationships, we are no longer persons." But what about our relationship with God? "To be a person is to be in an I-Thou relationship specifically with God." The security of human personhood is wholly determined by God. "Even if human beings do not or cannot respond, they remain persons as God the absolute Person continues to relate with them." (Martin Buber) Swinton writes that it is impossible to understand the full meaning of being a human person without first understanding who God is and where human beings stand in relation to God. "It is only when we begin to realize and acknowledge the position of human beings before God that the situation of people with dementia can be fully understood, their personhood authenticated, and their care effectively implemented." We are radically dependent on God. Christian discipleship is about learning to receive our life as a gift without regret. We are not the authors of our own stories. "The experience of dementia brings to the fore a broader amnesia that has befallen the world which has caused it to forget where and what it is: creation. "There is more to being human than memory alone. We are more than our brain's structure and function, which declines daily. Loss of memory does not inevitably lead to loss of self and self-identity. None of us are clear about who we are if who we are is determined by the accuracy of what we remember. To be human is to be held in the memory of God. God watches over us and know us intimately, and remembers us. It is not a person's memory that assures them of their identity, it is the memory of God and, by proxy, the memory of others. (Psalm 139)We Christians are called to be attentive to the presence of God in others. To be attentive is to pay close attention to the other, and in particular to those among us who may be considered weak and vulnerable (1 Cor.12:21-31). A church that remembers well and is attentive to the needs of people with advanced dementia is a church that is remaining faithful. To love one another we need to be present for one another. Love means saying to the other: "it's good that you exist; it's good that you are in this world." We care for the body-self, not just the mind. The body remembers even when the brain does not.Swinton calls for an understanding of the affliction of dementia as part of the passion of Christ. He describes people with dementia as strangers in our midst, but since all believers in Christ are aliens and strangers in this world we have a vocation to include the disabled by providing hospitality to them, for as Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you took me in." (Matt.25)This is an important book that throws much gospel light on an increasingly common affliction.

This has been a timely read for me. My wife does not have dementia but she is experiencing 'brain-aging'. It is both challenging and difficult to grow old together learning to adjust to our failing mental abilities. This book is very insightful pointing out the areas of change that are needed when growing older. Having read the author's hypothesis, and digested his argument, I am in agreement with his conclusion.

This book makes a good, solid case for seeing people with dementia as more than they are, making sure that we don't lose sight of the fact that they, as well as we who are not sick with this disease, are made in the image of God and are worthy of love, care and respect.

Insightful, sensitive, humanising, respectful, dignified. Swinton walks us through the challenges of personhood and connection for the person with dementia who typically faces estrangement from friends and family, disconnection from community and former social groups, confusion and seeing the world from a new perspective. He talks about the importance of the Christian community including and carrying the memories and personhood of people whose cognitive capacity and procedural memory is declining to retain their stories, history, emotions, reminiscences and value. Deeply touching and by far the most in depth book on spiritual life and the dementia journey. Wise and sensitive. Comforting, revealing and possibly helpful for carers and family of a person living with dementia in helping to understand. Combining the experience of a social work and nursing understanding with the humanity, love and compassion of a deeply committed Christian. Particularly suited to a reader with a Christian world view but also relevant to someone caring for another with a Christian background, and for pastoral carers.

This was a fantastic book. Helpful for diving into issues of dementia, but also really speaks to the human condition as a whole and our understanding God and personhood.

I just lost my wife to dementia and this was my fourth book on the subject and by far the most helpful and encouraging. It is some heavy reading but just what the Christian community needs to hear and learn. Very timely for the times. We are in an epidemic today for both those suffering with dementia and those, like myself, as caregivers. There has been healing for me in the reading if this book. When you read this one, take your time to prayerfully soak up all it has to offer. My appreciation to John Swinton for taking the time to write this.

enjoyed reading how one can provide assistance, compassion to loved ones who are dealing with this disease. Very interesting to read about the brain and how memories are stored there and recalled. Many other books similar to this area are by authors D. Amen and C. Leaf. Highly rec. their books also.

I had the chance to hear much of this material presented at the International Conference on Spirituality and Ageing in Auckland in 2009. John has taken what Kitwood started and brought it into the Theological realm.John Swinton has come to dominate the field and will be a name long remembered with people who have any interest in care for the Elderly.

Dementia has headed the list of public concerns for some time now, but it has taken a while for theologians to get to grips with it. A thoughtful theological treatment of dementia is overdue, but now it has arrived this book does not disappoint. John Swinton is a mature and creative theologian and an accomplished writer, and has done a fine job here. The book certainly reframed my own thinking on the subject, and any thoughtful Christian is likely to be challenged and inspired by some of the ideas developed in it.It takes quite a long time to get to the theological 'meat' my only reservation), but when it does so it's worth the wait.

The bet book I've read on understanding Dementia from the Christian worldview, heartfelt, clear and well argued. Swinton is an expert in his field and his knowledge and compassion comes across on every page, this doesn't mean it is an easy read but it is a worthwhile read.

This book along with Sally Magnussons book on Dementia are my first reads as a carer for my dear wide who is in early stage altzheimers.Such a great help to recalibrate my thinking as well as finding strength in the shared experiences of others.Ministers and all carers for dementia sufferers should read this book.

It has changed the way I talk to my husband who has Alzheimer's. He is now responding in a way I can understand. The last chapter is worth reading

This is a challenging, informative, thought provoking and very readable text. Such a help in changing thinking and attitudes towards dementia.