What happens to faith when memory fades, words disappear, and the person we knew begins to change in ways that feel unfamiliar, or even unsettling?

In this episode of The Dementia Collective, Andrew Karesa sits down with Elisa Bosley, chaplain and founder of SpiritualElderCare.com, to explore how faith, music, and presence continue to matter in dementia care, especially near the end of life.

Elisa begins by sharing her own origin story and how she was drawn into chaplaincy work with older adults. She reflects on what first surprised her when accompanying people living with dementia, and how those early experiences reshaped her understanding of faith, identity, and what it truly means to offer spiritual care.

Much of the conversation centers on music, particularly hymns, and why they so often reach people long after other forms of communication have fallen away. Elisa explains how familiar songs can act as a bridge to comfort, connection, and peace, even when cognitive decline is advanced, and why music frequently carries spiritual meaning when spoken theology no longer does.

Andrew and Elisa also explore the tension many families feel when a loved one’s beliefs or behaviours near the end of life seem incongruent with who they were earlier. They discuss common fears about faith, salvation, and whether dementia can somehow sever a person’s relationship with God. Rather than offering simplistic answers, Elisa speaks from her experience walking alongside individuals and families in long term care, emphasizing presence, reassurance, and trust over correction or fear.

The conversation addresses chaplaincy in diverse care settings, including how Elisa approaches interfaith spaces with sensitivity and respect. She reflects on the difference between supporting someone spiritually and evangelizing them, and why honoring a person’s history, values, and sense of safety matters far more than imposing belief.

Throughout the episode, Elisa returns to a consistent theme: that dignity, comfort, and connection are not lost simply because cognition changes. She shares what she has witnessed again and again in long term care, moments where peace, familiarity, and faith surface quietly through song, touch, or presence.

In this episode:

• Why hymns often reach people late in dementia

• How music can act as a bridge to comfort and faith

• What families fear when beliefs seem to change near the end of life

• Whether dementia can affect a person’s relationship with God

• The difference between spiritual support and evangelization

• How chaplains navigate interfaith spaces in long term care

• What brings peace and dignity near the end of life

Whether you are a caregiver, a family member, or someone wrestling with questions about faith, memory, and meaning in dementia, this conversation offers reassurance, reflection, and a grounded reminder that presence often speaks louder than certainty.

Learn more at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠

https://spiritualeldercare.com

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.