Join Colm and Professor John Swinton, the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the school of Divinity, History and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen, as they discuss the meaning of being present for somebody with dementia. Together, they explain the principals of presence, its importance to caring for a person with dementia and how it is limited by the attributes of current society. This episode is a commentary on the elements of communication within humanity and their subsequent impact on care. 

“That is what presence teaches you, how you can be with people in these moments, to learn from that moment that actually there is so much more to this individual than you think there is and to take that learning back into your practise” 

This episode is sponsored by the HammondCare Foundation . 

The story of Gladys Wilson and Naomi Feil is an amazing example of the profound impacts of presence in care. 

To delve further in faith based resources there are the 'Faith for Life' resources. 

To support those with dementia to connect to faith, especially during this pandemic, there is this helpsheet . 

John Swinton’s book 'Dementia: Living in the Memories of God' provides useful insight into the relationship between dementia and faith.

For all feedback please email hello@dementiacente.com.au