Dementia

[Carolina Moon]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm 56 and I have never chatted with anyone on line before. Forgive me ahead of time if I don't understand what I'm doing. I really just have a question that I'd like some thoughts on. My uncle has dementia and I am the court appointed conservator for him. He has always been agnostic in what he believed, though he lived with me before he went to the nursing home and we have been praying for his salvation for years. Now that his thinking is so damaged do you think he can still make a salvation decision or will God have mercy on him as He would with someone born brain damaged? He has covid and all I can think about is if he passes where will he go. Thank you, I know this is a question that no one can answer except the Lord Himself, but I would like to hear other thoughts.

 

[Tessa]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm 56 and I have never chatted with anyone on line before. Forgive me ahead of time if I don't understand what I'm doing. I really just have a question that I'd like some thoughts on. My uncle has dementia and I am the court appointed conservator for him. He has always been agnostic in what he believed, though he lived with me before he went to the nursing home and we have been praying for his salvation for years. Now that his thinking is so damaged do you think he can still make a salvation decision or will God have mercy on him as He would with someone born brain damaged? He has covid and all I can think about is if he passes where will he go. Thank you, I know this is a question that no one can answer except the Lord Himself, but I would like to hear other thoughts.

Hello Carolina and welcome to the forum. Yhe situation you are in can be very distressing. Even though people say they are agnostic only God knows their thoughts and heat. With God anything is possible.
I am helping to look after a 97 year old lady who was my mother's best friend. Does your uncle have days when he is more lucid than others? My friend went to church every week but she had many doubts e.g. creation, salvation. She is now bedridden. Sometimes she doesn't know me other days she dies. The amazing thing is she is losing her doubts and will talk quite freely about the bible prophecies. We don't't really know what a person is thinking, or if they are talking to God. I would remind him of the story of salvation and pray for him.
Ask The Holy Spirit to guide your words. Where there is life there is hope.
God bless you. Will pray for your uncle.

 

[Christ_empowered]

pray and try to see if seeds that you and others have planted can bear fruit...remember; God gives the increase.

 

[Quantrill]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm 56 and I have never chatted with anyone on line before. Forgive me ahead of time if I don't understand what I'm doing. I really just have a question that I'd like some thoughts on. My uncle has dementia and I am the court appointed conservator for him. He has always been agnostic in what he believed, though he lived with me before he went to the nursing home and we have been praying for his salvation for years. Now that his thinking is so damaged do you think he can still make a salvation decision or will God have mercy on him as He would with someone born brain damaged? He has covid and all I can think about is if he passes where will he go. Thank you, I know this is a question that no one can answer except the Lord Himself, but I would like to hear other thoughts.

Years ago, I was appointed to conduct church services and Bible study at a nursing home. Nursing homes are about the most depressing place to be as you see life at it's end. I first of all visited to prepare for the services. After seeing the sad condition of most there, I thought how in the world am I going to teach the Bible to these folk. Most probably don't even know where they are.

I decided that I was going to preach or teach just like I would any other group or class. It is the Word of God and I believed the Holy Spirit can penetrate any obstacle.

There was a certain woman, Mrs Ford, who was wheeled into the area for the services. About 99 years old she was. All you could see was her head poking out from the blankets around her. And as I taught, she would just stare, but intently. One day as I was teaching on the Second Coming, she hollered out 'hallelujah', and then asked me a question that revealed she had understood all that I said. Surprised me. Of course she probably didn't have dementia, but I still was surprised.

Your question is difficult and you're correct that no one can answer but Christ Himself. If your uncle can still communicate with you at times, I would say there is always the possibility that the Holy Spirit can penetrate his thinking. Of course at that age, seldom do people come to Christ, even if they don't have dementia.

We as Christians must deal at times with the fact that not all our family members may go to Heaven. I often think of Adams first born, Cain. I know Adam and Eve loved Cain. They had to of. But Cain did not care about following God and would not go to heaven. In these matters while we are here on earth, we must just trust God and leave it to Him.

Quantrill

 

[JLB]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm 56 and I have never chatted with anyone on line before. Forgive me ahead of time if I don't understand what I'm doing. I really just have a question that I'd like some thoughts on. My uncle has dementia and I am the court appointed conservator for him. He has always been agnostic in what he believed, though he lived with me before he went to the nursing home and we have been praying for his salvation for years. Now that his thinking is so damaged do you think he can still make a salvation decision or will God have mercy on him as He would with someone born brain damaged? He has covid and all I can think about is if he passes where will he go. Thank you, I know this is a question that no one can answer except the Lord Himself, but I would like to hear other thoughts.

Hi, and welcome to the Forum.


Yes, the Lord can give him grace, and a moment of clarity to move upon his spirit to call upon the Lord and be saved, in response to your faithful prayers.

None of us can be saved with grace, without a God given empowering to believe.

I would say, it’s probably more possible now in the state of mind he is in, than before when his mind was actually the enemy of his salvation.

Please consider thanking God now in advance for saving your uncle. Please understand you being a believer, are in a powerful position of authority over your uncle much
Ike a parent has legal authority over their child, because you are his legal care giver. What you speak over his life is important and is either a blessing or a curse. Speak God’s promises over him in faith and watch what the Lord does for him.


Simple phrases such as ...


Thank you Lord for saving my uncle (state his name) because your word says “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31

• In Jesus name my uncle is blessed.
• In Jesus name my uncle has the mind of Christ.

Be encouraged, God is with you and will lead you and help you.


Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10



JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

Hi Carolina Moon and welcome to CF

That is a hard question to answer and all we can do is pray and hope that in the lucid moments of his mind he has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior through the seeds you have planted.

Praying he beats covid and dementia is a hard thing and also runs in my mom's side of the family. It is very frustrating to them and their frustration can be hard on the caregivers. Praying for all of you.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

Welcome to the forum, Carolina. It's great to have you here!

I have wondered about that situation you have, too. I have been around quite a few dementia and Alzheimer's patients. I suppose the short answer is, "I don't know if they can make a decision for Christ." They do forget a lot, when the disease is bad enough and they can't remember anything it's terrible. I have been around Alzheimer's patients that will tell you the same stories day by day, it rarely changes. They ask your name every day and who you are - stuff that is generally considered common knowledge because of their illness.

Two of my family members had dementia, but they were already believers in God. I'm not sure how this goes for someone who isn't. In any event, God knows the heart - He knows when someone makes a decision for Him and when that decision is truly genuine.

I don't believe it's a waste of time to tell those with dementia or Alzheimer's the good news, though. It's definitely worth the effort to share the gospel with everyone.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Hello Carolina, I wish I knew what to tell you but I'll just keep praying for you and God bless.