The Importance of Religiosity to the Well-Being of African American Older Adults Living With Dementia

Abstract

This study was a post hoc analysis of a larger qualitative descriptive study exploring family involvement in health promotion activities for African Americans living with dementia where participants identified religious practices as meaningful health promotion activities. The purpose of this study was to explore ways in which religiosity may influence the well-being of older adults living with dementia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among a sample of 22 family caregivers and 15 older adults living with dementia ( N = 37). Three themes emerged: Engagement, Promotion of Faith and Spiritual Connectedness, and Maintenance of Religious Practices. It is imperative for family caregivers to understand the important contributions of religious activities and beliefs to the well-being of their family member. This information might be of use for faith communities, policy makers, and health care providers in the provision of optimal person-centered care and the promotion of quality of life for persons living with dementia.

Insights From African American Older Adults on Brain Health Research Engagement: “Need to See the Need”

“…Furthermore, to limit participant burden, the surveys in this study were brief. Future research should explore how ethnicity, caregiving experience, socioeconomic status, religiosity, and coping strategies, as well as prior photography and creative experience influence engagement in the photovoice process as well as research beliefs (Epps & Williams, 2020). It will also be important to test whether the approaches suggested in the current project can successfully translate into increased AA research engagement in real-world clinical research recruitment efforts.…”

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Dementia in Predominantly African American Congregants

“…In addition, active engagement in a faith community, such as church or other religious group, can reduce dementia-related stigma (Bryden, 2016). Connection with one’s faith community is important to African American families because of their reliance on the church for spiritual, emotional, social, and material support (Epps & Williams, 2020; Nguyen et al, 2019). Involvement with clergy and congregants can help persons living with dementia and their caregivers feel more comfortable and encouraged about their diagnosis (Chatters et al, 2008; Sun et al, 2010).…”

“Everything is Either Sent by God or Used by God”: An Exploratory Study on the Impact of COVID-19 Upon the Religious Lives of Black Families Living with Dementia

“…In response to the cancellation of in-person worship, churches adopted online worship services that enabled PLWDs who were homebound for years to actively participate. Online delivery formats may already be familiar to individuals affected by dementia, as a previous study has shown religious programs on television, podcasts, and live streaming connections which were used as alternative methods of religious engagement for PLWDs who cannot physically attend worship services even before to the pandemic (Epps & Williams, 2018 ). Additionally, most participants preferred services that were more concise and shorter in length, partly due to the reduced attention span of PLWDs.…”