Gentle neglect of people with dementia is not a worthy pastoral strategy for the church and yet this is often the case in practice.

James Saunders looks at the reasons for this, explores the nature of Christ-like love as portrayed in the gospels, and offers a re-appraisal of what it means to be human in community in the image of God. He concludes with some practical advice on ministry with those suffering from dementia.

The Revd James Saunders is Assistant Curate to The Sole Bay Team Ministry in rural East Suffolk. Before his ordination, he spent two years caring for people with dementia in a nursing home and NHS hospital.