Stolen Memories: An Alzheimer’s Stole Ministry and Tallit Initiative

Dementia steals memories--creative stitchery crafts can hold memories. Stolen Memories: An Alzheimer's Stole Ministry and Tallit Initiative describes the use of hand-sewn, individualized stoles and stole-style tallitot in advocacy for Alzheimer's and related dementias. These beautiful pieces of liturgical art can increase awareness, prompt discussion, begin an educational process, promote dementia-friendly faith communities, and give honor to those affected by Alzheimer's. Pastors wear them in the pulpit or as they conduct services, particularly during national days of awareness or remembrance of those affected by dementia or their caregivers and loved ones. Chaplains wear them in pastoral visits or special services for people in assisted living or memory-care units. Advocates wear them as they speak at churches, synagogues, conferences, or training sessions, or as they make visits to their representatives in Congress to lobby for increased funding for research, as well as treatment and care for persons living with dementia and their care partners. Included are simple step-by-step instructions and photos on how readers can piece and sew their own stoles and tallitot, along with many photos of clergy wearing them and their personal reflections on the stoles/tallitot and their meaning to them. "Stolen Memories is obviously a work of love. I am honored to have been a recipient of one of her beautiful stoles and wear it with a deep sense of joy for those with whom I have worked and loved who live with dementia, including my beloved mother. Wearing this stole reminds me of our responsibility to live in compassion with one another and to uphold the dignity of all life." --Linn Possell, author of Alzheimer's: A Beautiful Spirit Celebrated "People with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are invisible and forgotten by many faith communities; such isolation intensifies loneliness and robs congregations of the gifts of those who live with cognitive degeneration. . . . Stolen Memories provides inspiring stories of those who live with and care for people with dementia and a means of advocating on their behalf. This is more than a creative book; it is an invitation to join a movement to bring hope and healing to people stigmatized and marginalized by society." --Kenneth L. Carder, Duke Divinity School "Modern care partners with seniors experiencing Alzheimer's disease know that to engage the senior requires all of our senses. In this text, the visual arts, specifically the symbols reflected in the pastor's stole or the rabbi's tallit bring the visual symbols of office and faith together with lived experience." --James W. Ellor, editor, Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging Lynda Everman is a former caregiver and passionate Alzheimer's advocate. She coedited Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers. With her husband, retired psychologist and former caregiver Don Wendorf, she coedited Dementia-Friendly Worship: A Multifaith Handbook for Chaplains, Clergy and Faith Communities. Don wrote Caregiver Carols: A Musical, Emotional Memoir, and together they edited Leader's Guide for Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregivers. Read more