A strange question but I think a valid one. My aged father is consumed with Catholic guilt as he's getting nearer to the end of his days. He talks constantly about the end of the world and predictions of The Blessed Virgin and how we're all sinners. I'm a practicing Catholic but I'm no way as obsessed as he is. He drives my siblings mad to the point where they either lose their temper at him, or just not talk to him.
Is this a dementia thing?
But instead of any negative talk, discuss how much Jesus loves him and remind him of the cross where Jesus gave up his own life to save all of us sinners.
Hsve him pray directly to go for forgiveness of his sins.
Read the Bible to him letting him know if he believes, confess his sins that he will be forgiven.
Rwas about the love of God.
Read to him from the Bible about Heaven and assure him that he's going there because his Jesus already paid the price.
If you're not using Music Therapy, you should play relaxing Christian Music for him.
Tell your siblings to Grow Up...
One day it'll be them lying in bed dying.
Give Love while Dad is still alive.
I'm sure Death is a very scary thing to handle.
Prayers
These will bring definite spiritual and emotional comfort!!
Since your Dad is a Catholic I would go to his local Parish and ask your most kind Priest to come and visit with him. They would have a good conversation, I would think. You could also probably help by reading him the more beautiful passages from the bible, those that are uplifting, and of joy. Try to steer his belief toward the positive messages given.
Most of my nursing career was spent at a Catholic Hospital where we had a roving Nun on the floors at all time. She was a marvelous woman, salt of the earth and both feet on the ground. She was such a comfort to ALL patients, but most of all to those suffering from religiosity combined with mental illness. A marvelous soul she was, and full of gentle humor. I saw her presence calm many a troubled soul.
My grandmother had a bit of that when she would obsess about a family falling out that was decades old - and resolved! She was still mad at the people who she thought did her dirt. I tried reminding her of the last time she saw those family members and how they had a lovely time together. I also reminded her that she needed to let her anger go and forgive them. Eventually, I would remind her that "we decided to forgive them" and change the subject or try to divert her attention to another activity.
Your father is having similar "stuck thoughts" about his "guilt", about the end of (his life) world, and whatever beliefs that go with these thoughts. Since your father is Catholic, I suggest he have some regular sessions talking with his priest of a counsellor from his parish. The priest or counsellor can get him to discuss whatever he feels guilt about, pray together, and record that your father is a forgiven man in Christ. Having something that your father can focus on that reminds him that he is forgiven and has a wonderful eternity waiting for him may help with his fears.
If your father is having a lot of anxiety and agitation, as many folks with later stages of dementia do, he may benefit from a prescription for a mild anti-anxiety medication. It will help him to relax and may loosen this fear of guilt.
Blessings to you and your family on this journey.
My mother on the other hand, has always had what I'd call a "spirited" personality, but now she's a really cranky old woman who has nonetheless earned the right to be crabby. She's a lot to take, though, and I'm thankful every day for her caregivers who still think she's a hoot even when she's flipping them the bird.
Not to say that religious faith is annoying, but it seems that it's your dad's most intensely ingrained personality trait, so here he is with it getting more and more amplified as he gets older and closer to death.
I have no real advice for you, except to consider going toe-to-toe with him once in a while and challenging his statements. Tell him that the world ends for everyone eventually, and that's the "end of the world" as far as you're concerned. (That's the explanation I choose to believe at least.) If he's not suffering from dementia where you can't reason with him in any way, I'd say you should call him on some of his stuff. I think he's looking to be comforted, and perhaps you just need to offer some reassurance in firm statements that God is watching out for him and forgives him for his sins.
See, my Dad reckons he's been a rotten person for most his life, and while I don't argue with that, he's also been an.incredibly kind and compassionate father and husband to my Mum and us 3 kids.
But now his memory is very bad, his hearing is worse and his ability to do the simplest things he was once so good at, he was so smart, is now gone.
It's very sad.
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