Forum Discussion

Hi Susan
I had to extend religious services from time to time because volunteers ran them and they were kind of short
First make a song book of hymns or perhaps you have one
Choose the residents favorites
This could be an activity extension
Some of my favorites are
This is the day
Jesus loves me
Amazing grace
The old rugged cross
In the garden
Count your blessings
This song happens to be one of my favorites because it can lead to a discussion about what the residents are blessed with
Along those lines we did the ABC's Of what we are thankful for or whatever is related to an upcoming holiday
I like to alternate songs and discussion
In fact you can discuss the hymns you are singing you can talk about going to church
I like to discuss them too
Also you can discuss upcoming holidays and how you are going to celebrate them
Another good topic for discussion is kindness and forgiveness
Here are some ideas on golden Carers that might be helpful to you
https://www.goldencarers.com/15-ways-to-celebrate-world-prayer-
day/4386/
https://www.goldencarers.com/samples-of-prayers/4174/
I hope this helps

Thanks Susan! Very helpful!

PS I noticed there are a lot of Susan's that use Golden Carers. Susan's must be awesome carers! :D

I agree

Try to come up with an order of worship to use as your starting point for each service. Use common elements of a worship service:
- greeting
- opening prayer
- hymns or songs
- scripture readings
- message/sermon
- The Lord's Prayer
- The Apostle's Creed
- more hymns
- closing prayer
- benediction

Once you have your structure, fill in the pieces each week.
You'll find scripture readings that most denominations use each week in The Revised Common Lectionary (https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu).

We've found that adapting a children's message works well for residents. Include an object or visual element that you can show/pass around. Do a show & tell, and and encourage your residents to share. Here are some sites to explore:
- Sermons 4 Kids (www.sermons4kids.com) - This one also has crosswords, word searches...
- Sermon Writer (www.sermonwriter.com/childrens-sermons/)
- Worshiping with Children (worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com)
- On the Chancel Steps (onthechancelsteps.wordpress.com)

For music, go for familiar hymns, if you can figure out what your residents know. Kids songs from vacation bible school work well, too. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Do Lord, Jesus Loves Me, The B-I-B-L-E, I'm in the Lord's Army, Deep & Wide, This Little Light of Mine, I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy (down in my heart). Kum Ba Yah. You can use the motions to the songs to get them moving.

For more filler, check out some of Missy Buchanan's books (missybuchanan.com/books).

Good luck!

Wow Janice
Thank so much for that information it is very valuable and I'm sure it will help Susan and others

There is a very helpful book called 'Brain and Soul Boosting For Seniors' by the Pilgrim Friends Society, it is a spiritual programme for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and consts of 15 sessions with Bible stories, and associated activities and hymns. www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk not free but worth a look

Thank you Clare for the suggestion

You Tube - Spiritual Eldercare has weekly non-denominational services for dementia, they can be used for all levels, the hymns are on the screen in big print or you can print out a book for free,

great free resource

Thank you for this information Donnie

I use Alexa, ask her to play hymns while we serve tea and biscuits

Thank you for this information Jean