Faith Communities
Discovery
Alzheimer’s Disease, surprisingly, became a doorway for me into a recognition of the existence of spirituality in all aspects of life, including diminishments.
Another surprise was how this disease healed my fractured relationship with my mother. I’m grateful and honored to be sharing my discoveries and my learning with others who are now on this journey, and to be speaking on behalf of persons with dementia who cannot speak for themselves.
& The Forgetting
Mission
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer's and dementia, reduce caregiver stress, and inspire a hopeful attitude. Our intent is to help caregivers and communities develop a deeper understanding of these diseases, and nurture the belief that meaningful relationships remain possible throughout all the stages of dementia.
Using experiential methods based on improvisational theatre exercises and spiritual practices, Healing Moments' programs TEACH caregivers how to communicate effectively and connect deeply with persons with Alzheimer's and dementia, how to identify and accept the limitations and gifts of Alzheimer's and dementia, and how to reduce conflict, increase cooperation, and provide quality, therapeutic care.
After attending Healing Moments workshops, participants feel empowered to be compassionate, competent, and confident caregivers.
Healing Moments is a 501c3 and we are grateful to our board—Jade C. Angelica, Esther Hurlburt, Darrick Jackson, and Laura Randall.
Lori La Bey, founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks (https://alzheimersspeaks.com) and Dementia Map (https://www.dementiamap.com),
interviews Dr. Stephen Post and Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica about Dr. Post’s new book, Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dr. Angelica’s Caregiver Resilience Program, Meeting Alzheimer’s.
Healing Moments’ unique, experiential, state-of-the-art techniques effectively teach the methods of interacting with persons with dementia that experts in the field have been recommending for thirty years – leading to enhanced quality of life for persons with dementia and greater satisfaction for those working as professional caregivers.
Healing Moments for Alzheimer's
The Forgiving & The Forgetting is an original play about a family engaged in the journey through Alzheimer's.
The message of the play is enlightening, inspiring, and hope-filled. It breathes life into the recommended interventions for addressing the challenges and stressors experienced by Alzheimer’s caregivers. The communication techniques and spiritual issues brought to life in this creative performance are presented in a way that evokes emotion in audiences, bringing the capacity for greater impact, greater learning, and greater healing.
Jade with her Mom, Jeanne.
The Forgiving &
A congregational or community service to honor and remember our loved ones who are living with dementia or who had dementia and have passed away.
Educational workshops for congregations and community organizations help caring individuals learn about dementia and how to care for people with these diseases – including ways to integrate people with dementia into congregational and community life.
This diadactic theatre performance was written by Jade Angelica with support from Healing Moments’ staff. The world premiere was in 2013 in Iowa, and subsequent performances were produced in Chicago and Los Angeles. Scripts for dramatic or readers’ theatre performances are available. The play is an accessible and inspiring tool for increasing awareness about Alzheimer’s and training audiences in Healing Moments’ methods.
Professional
Articles by Jade
A novel two-day intervention reduces stress in caregivers of persons with dementia
What if Alzheimer's disease could be a path to personal and social transformation?
Improvisation Can Help to Heal — Even Trauma, Even Alzheimer’s
"Alzheimer's Caregiving Takes a Village"
"Alzheimer's Caring: How Faith Communities Can Serve People with Dementia and Their Families"
"On a Pilgrimage Through Alzheimer's, Promise and Paradox Intersect"
"Seeing the True Value of Our Loved Ones with Alzheimer's When Our Vision Is Blurred by Tears"
"Acceptance and Gratitude: Transforming Spiritual Practices for Alzheimer's Caregivers"
Caregivers
Family and
Monarch Moments
Jade and Julie visit for the first time since Jade's mother passed.
Professional Dementia Caregiver Training for Luther Manor Nursing Home, Dubuque, IA
By creating a safe and supportive environment, Healing Moments provides families, friends and informal caregivers for persons with dementia the opportunity to learn and practice new, effective ways of communicating and connecting with their loved ones – enhancing relationships and quality of life for persons with dementia and their caregivers.
"Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness.
It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift.” ~Mary Oliver
Informal Caregivers
Where Two Worlds Touch: “Awakening” read by Voice Actor, Sheryl Hartman
Programs
Healing Moments offers a variety of educational events and workshops for professional, family, and informal caregivers, nursing home administrators, health care professionals, nurses and nursing assistants, religious congregations, pastoral care ministers and volunteers, and community organizations.