Page 82 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

Counseling with those who have demenia or those who care for a person with dementia.

In 1900, people aged 65 or older made up 4 percent of the U.S. population. In 1980, this number nearly
tripled to11 percent of the population. Do you know the estimate for the year 2030? 22 percent –
almost a quarter of the population! 130

Obviously, not every person aged 65 and older develops dementia. In fact, researchers found that just
over 1 percent of those from 65 to 74 have this cognitive disorder. The percentage jumps to nearly 4
percent for ages 75 to 84 and rises to about 10 percent of folks over 85. However, some researchers
estimate that dementia of the Alzheimer’s type may affect nearly half of those at the older end of this
spectrum. 131

A Biblical Approach for People with Dementia and Their Families 132

Like the secular Medical Model, the biblical approach has a standard definition of dementia: decreased
mental capabilities such as memory loss, inability to think abstractly, impaired decision-making, and the
inability to communicate normally. The biblical approach values the contributions of physicians and
considers dementia a medical condition that should be managed by a physician. 133

In addition, the biblical approach recognizes that people with dementia and their loved ones need
counseling based on biblical truth. A biblical counselor is advised to take a personal interest in a
counselee with dementia and visit frequently, be sensitive to spiritual needs, and encourage him or her
from Scripture.

Many Christian families may choose to care for their loved one at home rather than send them to a
nursing home, if possible. We see an application of this in 1 Timothy 2:3-16, a passage that focuses on
the treatment of widows. The apostle Paul says that widows first need to provide for themselves or
remarry. If this isn’t possible, then the family is to help. Finally, if the family is unable to help, then the
church would provide for her needs including proper housing, clothing, and food.
In his book The Art of Aging, Dr. Howard Eyrich shares an account of how their family cared for his father
in their home. 134 Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he developed a negative attitude and everything
needed to be done for him – dressing, eating, and eventually toileting. Much of this care was done by his
daughter-in-law, who was “on call” nearly all day every day except for those times they arranged for
someone to come in.

Howard fondly remembers an encouraging incident before his father’s death. His father told him, “Kid,
I’d be in an awful fix if it weren’t for you. Thank you.” Then a blank stare returned to his eyes.
The wise biblical counselor also pays attention to the caregiver(s), helping them choose to believe the
Word of God and apply it to their lives, no matter how they feel in the trial of dementia. Part of this

130 Howard Eyrich and Judy Dabler, The Art of Aging: A Christian Handbook (Bemidji, MN: Focus Publishing, 2006),
112.
131 https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2018/09/14/dementia-a-biblical-approach-for-care/
132 Ibid.
133 Marshall Asher and Mary Asher, The Christian’s Guide to Psychological Terms, Second Edition (Bemidji, MN:
Focus Publishing, 2014), 57.
134 Eyrich, The Art of Aging, 75.

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