Care home compassion

News Release: 10 January 2012

Retired Evangelist, Christine Goodger, was commissioned in 1964 and spent many years working with children, families and doing mission throughout the United Kingdom. She now lives in Northampton where she reaches out to people living in residential homes and to carers of those suffering with dementia.

She said: “Caring for someone with dementia can be a very isolating experience. You can become marooned in your own home as you try to give your loved one the attention they need. This was my experience when caring for my parents and aunt, who all suffered from various forms of dementia.

“But I thank God for how He has used these experiences to allow me to reach out to other people in similar situations. For an hour or two each week, I visit carers’ homes to pray with them and to give them the opportunity to go out for a break. In the past, I have also helped people to find suitable care homes or hospices for their loved ones when they can no longer cope at home.

“I also spend some of my time visiting five residential care homes, where I organise communion services and Songs of Praise-type worship using pictures, familiar objects, hymns, songs and readings. I find that these services can awaken something within even the most confused.”

To find out more about Christine’s work, read the latest edition of Shareit! magazine.