Resources to share from our dementia-friendly churches network meeting
As churches, we want to support people in joining in with our services and activities. As patterns change through advancing dementia or other challenges, it may be important to flex things to accommodate individuals’ needs. For example, we might offer a shorter service of worship, with more sensory involvement; or we might offer home communion; and we might make adjustments to the physical environment at church, like improving our signage.
Alongside this we need to be aware of safeguarding boundaries, as behaviour changes. If we encounter inappropriate or challenging behaviour from someone living with dementia, how do we respond? Our response is coloured by the person’s capacity – and we recognise that capacity may fluctuate for someone with dementia and may deteriorate, with advancing dementia, to a point where the person has no awareness of what they are doing. So alongside safeguarding procedures, we need to be aware of the “no fault” safeguarding route of a “risk management” response.
In October 2024, at our Dementia-Friendly Churches Network meeting, Neil Spiring, our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, and Peter Hurd, our Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, led a very helpful session on 'Safeguarding and Dementia'.
If there’s a concern about anyone being at risk, it’s essential to name and share that concern without delay. For people affected by dementia, there’s a heightened need to be alert to safeguarding issues. Alzheimer’s Society’s website, on 'Safeguarding and dementia', reminds us that: "People with dementia will have cognitive symptoms that may make them more at risk of abuse or neglect… Carers may also be at risk of neglect and abuse especially if they are overburdened, isolated, lonely or experiencing severe stress.”
From our October 2024 “Safeguarding and Dementia” session, we have the following resources to share:
- Safeguarding & Dementia Introduction;
- Dementia Case Studies – Changes & Challenges;
- Dementia Case Studies – Responses to Changes and Challenges;
- Safeguarding Concern Form; and
- PowerPoint slides from the “Safeguarding and Dementia” session.
We are also able to share the recording from our session on “Dementia & Safeguarding”, with Neil Spiring and Peter Hurd:
Our safeguarding framework is vital to protect us all. The information here builds on our established Diocese of Lichfield safeguarding framework and our parish safeguarding framework, exploring the additional considerations that are relevant when someone is living with or affected by dementia. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: if you have concerns, please speak, without delay to your church’s Safeguarding Officer or, if necessary, to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team so that we work together in reporting and responding and supporting appropriately.