Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia by John Dunlop, MD is a book that explores a Christian perspective of dementia. Written by a doctor, this book takes a look at his personal experience with dementia in light of God’s Word. The author discuses dementia and how it differs from a healthy brain. I think my favorite chapter is the one in which he discusses how to meet the needs of someone with dementia. He explains how difficult it is and has ideas to help them still feel valued and needed in spite of their difficulties. I would highly recommend this book to anyone affected by dementia. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

A community formed by the gospel has the potential to transform Alzheimer's care. Perhaps that is one way in which the church as the body of Christ can actually be the fullness of God.

With more and more people living with Dementia, how can we take steps to live out the gospel for the patient and the caregiver. You don't have to know someone who is suffering from dementia to pick up this important text because it is for all Christians.

What makes this text so special is that it starts with us being the image of God. How do we view others. Even in the church without even leaders realizing it, minimizes others when they are concerned (which is not a bad thing) about what the body is capable of doing. How they can serve and influence others for the gospel and the growth of the church. How can we apply the gospel to those that can't serve. We put so much value in what people can do and not who they are-created in the image of God. When we truly understand that and live that, we can have hope and more importantly give hope. The question becomes how can we honor God in the midst of dementia has a care giver and patient?

The author is a doctor and care giver himself gives sound and clear help how we as a community can come along aside families of dementia. With 13 chapters that can give direction and hope.

God & Dementia
What Should We Know about Dementia
What about Diagnosis
Can Dementia be prevented or treated
How does it feel to have dementia
The experience of caregiving
Help for caregivers
How can we honor God through dementia?
Respect the Dignity of those with Dementia
Meet the Needs of those with dementia
What should the Church do?
Grow through the experience of Dementia
End of Life issues.

God uses dementia for kingdom purposes for both the caregiver and the patient. I know first hand as my own mother in law suffered under dementia. It was a way for her family to serve her after so many years of serving us. I wish she never had that disease however, I believe God had purpose in it. This book will open your eyes to that purpose.

A Special Thank You to Crossway Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

John Dunlop has written A book that really hit home for me. I will be referring to it often

This is the first book I've read about dementia since my husband was diagnosed with the disease seven months ago. The book was written by a Christian geriatrician so the book is a combination of medical (but not too technical for lay people), and biblical (but has lots of good advice for those who aren't religious). I had just heard a sermon about how we have all been created in the image of God, and the premise of this book is that people with dementia are created in God's image, and should therefore be treated with the same dignity we would have for healthy people. The author shared some personal experiences, practical advice, and lots of Bible verses. This is a book that will help whether you are in the early stages of dementia, a caregiver, or someone who wants to support them.s book was helpful to me personally, and I think others who

Premise/plot: Dunlop provides a Christian perspective of care on dementia in his new book. He writes in the introduction, "My purpose in writing this book is to provide a theological lens through which we can view dementia and then give a number of practical ways in which it can be applied. I trust it will be useful for those who are developing the disease as well as those who care for people at any stage of it. I also hope that many professional caregivers, whether doctors, nurses, chaplains, or social workers, will benefit from this read. In addition, I believe it will be useful for pastors, other church leaders, and members of ethics committees. I suspect that most readers will be followers of Jesus, but I truly hope that the book will be read by non-Christians as well. I am impressed by how many who do not embrace the Christian faith nevertheless hold the life and teachings of Jesus in high regard. My desire is that they will profit from a deeper consideration of how Jesus would respond to dementia."

My thoughts: First and foremost the book is practical and packed with information. Some of this information is medical: what is dementia? what are the different types of dementia? what are the signs of dementia? when should you see a doctor if someone you love is showing signs of dementia? are there ways to slow down dementia? what kinds of help are available for caregivers? The book has plenty of tips.

"There are number of practical ways in which we can respect dignity by entering the world of people with dementia. Here are a few examples: 1. Get to know their past history, if you are not already familiar with it. Talk to them about stories from their past to allow them to enjoy the memories they still have. It may help to compile a picture book and have them explain the pictures in it. 2. Share some funny stories. They may not understand them, but if you laugh, they may enjoy laughing along with you. 3. Learn what they prefer to be called and use that when speaking with them. It may be the nickname they had as a child. 4. Learn their likes and dislikes from earlier in their lives. You might take them to places they used to enjoy and serve them the comfort foods they once relished. Their forgetfulness may enable you to do this repeatedly. If they used to love mac and cheese, they may be fine eating it every day. 5. Play the music and sing the songs they used to love. 6. Slow down to get into their world. Life for those with dementia moves slowly. Anything you do together will take more time, as it may upset them or even lead to a meltdown if they feel rushed. 7. Respect the constrictions of dementia. As the disease progresses, patients will be less interested in the past and future and more focused on the present. They will be less interested in news of the world outside and may not want to leave the comfort of their home or room. What is going on in the lives of other people may not be important to them; eventually, however, they will care only about how they feel in the here and now. To respect their dignity, those around them must learn to enjoy the present moment with them. At times, being touched and held may be all they want. Recognize that caregivers’ need for activity may be far greater than theirs. 8. Respect their resistance to change. Establish routines they are comfortable with. Having meals at the same time and going to bed and getting up on a regular schedule are usually best. The world they live in does not require much variety. 9. If they perceive that you did something wrong and have become upset by it, accept that their understanding of what happened may be totally different from yours. Do not make excuses but apologize profusely. That will affirm them, avoid arguments, and allow them to feel better."

But there are also theological aspects of this one. Dunlop examines the subjects of dignity and human worth. He asserts that it is not our intellect or memory that makes us have worth; our image-bearing does not stop with diagnosis. No matter how much the mind deteriorates, our worth and value does not diminish or lessen. Dunlop also focuses on God. God is good. God is faithful. God is sovereign. God is wise. God is ever present. God is the God of all comfort. He writes, "As we celebrate God’s goodness, we must recognize that part of his loving care for us is allowing difficulties to come into our lives—such as dementia. We cannot deny that dealing with dementia, whether from the perspective of the patient, the caregiver, or other observers, involves emotional, spiritual, and at times even physical suffering. To handle it well, Christians need to be taught early in their lives that God is in control, that he always does what is good, and that we can trust him through the hard times of life. If we are going to endure suffering in a way that honors God, we need a robust understanding of how God uses suffering. This must start with an understanding of who God is."

He concludes, "If we are going to honor God in and even through dementia, we first need to know God in an intimate way. We need to think the way he thinks, respond to life’s situations the way he responds, love the things he loves, and value the things he values. When we know God in this way, we are able to respond to dementia the way God himself would respond."