“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

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on church engagement for Black families affected by dementia in the USA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with current caregivers, church leaders, and persons with dementia ( n = 16). The following themes emerged: (a) Ability to continue religious practices , (b) Increased church engagement , (c) Importance of fellowship , (d) Role of technology , and (e) New normal . As the Internet becomes the new church building, online worship services enabled more families affected by dementia to engage. Many church leaders expressed the intent of continuing to provide online worship services post-pandemic. Families highlighted their need to fellowship with other congregants. Technology was perceived as a double-edged sword serving as both a motivator and a barrier to religious engagement. These findings will support faith leaders in understanding the needs of their congregants during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as allowing families living with dementia to continue engaging in religious practices and living in meaningful ways.

Religion, Islam, and Compliance with COVID-19 Best Practices

“…Del Castillo et al, ( 2020 , 2021 ), for example, highlight how the Catholic Church played a pivotal role in supporting the psychological well-being of followers in the Philippines in midst of the pandemic, and Pirutinsky et al ( 2020 ) argue that religious participation among Orthodox Jews in the American northeast helped contribute to their resilience in the face of the pandemic. While there seems to be more scholarly focus on how Jewish and (especially) Christian commitments, rather than Islamic commitments, support mental health in the face of the pandemic (see, among others, De Backer, 2021 ; Dein et al, 2020 ; Del Castillo et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Ge et al, 2021 ; Osei-Tutu et al, 2021 ; Pirutinsky et al, 2020 , 2021 ), the Islamic perspective is not entirely missing from these conversations about mental health. In a study conducted in Palestine, Mahamid and Bdier ( 2021 ) found that the Islamic commitments of participants provided them with religious coping mechanisms for dealing with the pandemic in a way that, in turn, supported a decrease in depressive symptoms and perceived stress.…”

“…Research on the intersection of health and religion is perhaps most well-developed in the area of mental health (see e.g., Rosmarin and Koenig, 1998 ; Levin, 2010 ); it is not surprising, then, that there has been a good deal of research regarding how affiliation with Christian groups may contribute to mental health in the context of COVID-19 (see, among others, De Backer, 2021 ; Dein et al, 2020 ; Del Castillo et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Ge et al, 2021 ; Osei-Tutu et al, 2021 ). As we have already alluded to, the Islamic perspective is not entirely missing from conversations about mental health (Achour et al, 2021 ; Mahamid & Bdier, 2021 ; Saud et al, 2021 .).…”

Dementia and COVID-19 among Older African American Adults: A Scoping Review of Healthcare Access and Resources

“…Seven studies included participants from all ethnic groups. Only one study reported all participants as older African American adults [ 35 ]. The social determinants of health for the participants in the studies included low income, living in poor communities where transportation was generally a source of concern, and an over-reliance on public health facilities [ 36 , 37 , 39 ] (See Table 2 ).…”

“…The findings of the included studies showed many healthcare access disparities for older African American adults with dementia and COVID-19 due to acceptance issues by healthcare professionals [ 35 , 36 , 38 ] (See Table 3 ). Differences existed in care acceptance between older African American adults with dementia and COVID-19 and those with Medicare and private insurance.…”

“…Approaching healthcare facilities and professionals presumes being listened to and valued in the treatment process. Studies suggest systemic and structural disparities are issues related to healthcare accessibility for older African American adults with dementia and COVID-19 [ 35 , 36 , 39 ]. As an example, most older African American adults referred to in the studies lived in rural communities or densely packed locations, where access to timely and proper transportation they could use to access quality care was lacking [ 36 , 39 ].…”