'Is Grandma Still There?' A Pastoral and Ethical Reflection on the Soul and Continuing Self-identity in Deeply Forgetful People.
This metaphysical and pastoral reflection focuses on a question that over several decades has been posed to me by many family caregivers for deeply forgetful people (persons with dementia). The question may take different forms: Is my loved one still there underneath all of this confusion? Is my loved one's soul still present? Will she come to rest fully intact in the arms of a Supreme Being? Could she be 'gone' but already somewhere experiencing the fullness of divine love? This reflection provides a pastoral response to this big question that has to do with the need to find meaning in caring for deeply forgetful people.
Stony Brook University School of Medicine, USA Stephen.post@stonybrookmedicine.edu.
Stephen G
SG
Post
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D010327:Pastoral Care; D028723:Personhood; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D029181:Spirituality
Alzheimer’s disease; caregivers; deeply forgetful; dementia; meaning; pastoral care; post-materialism; soul