Priest brings counseling to 'the forgotten people'

Conventional wisdom states that psychotherapy can't help people with this degenerative disease of the nervous system, but Father Malecki, staff psychologist for the diocesan Consultation Center and chaplain at Teresian House Nursing Home in Albany, believes that theory is wrong.

A month and a half ago, Father Malecki started two therapy groups for Alzheimer's patients at Teresian House: one for those diagnosed with early Alzheimer's and another for those whose disease is further advanced. His goal was simple: to improve the quality of life for those struggling with senility and allow them to communicate better.

Improvement seen

In addition, the priest had worked with his own aunt, who died a year ago after an eight-year battle with the disease. As he provided therapy for her, he said, "my experience was that her quality of life did improve. I saw her improve. I saw it in her prayer life."

Since he was already the chaplain at Teresian House, Father Malecki decided to try a therapy group there. The nursing home already provides a host of activities for its residents, but he hoped psychotherapy would give Alzheimer's patients an opportunity to form friendships and "talk about things they care about."

Session

Often, he uses classic stories like Greek fables and fairy tales to draw people's attention and stimulate discussion -- "Cinderella" being the biggest crowd-pleaser to date.

"It got such empathy that color came into their faces, which means it triggered appropriate emotions," Father Malecki explained.

Drawing them out

"I'm not a good draw-er, either, but I just draw a picture, and it helps me to learn something," Father Malecki told the group.

"You learn from your mistakes?" an elderly woman asked.

"I learn from my mistakes," the priest affirmed with a chuckle.

The group seemed puzzled by the activity, but eventually, most settled down to drawing flowers and Christmas trees, writing their names or sketching Tic-Tac-Toe boards. Father Malecki encouraged any form of expression, telling everyone that "drawing is a chance for the soul to heal. You and I can talk about it, and the Lord can bring us some healing."

Not everyone was impressed. When asked what made her happy, one woman retorted, "Right now, a big beer." But in a corner, a new group member sat and quietly drew an entire house with a garden full of plants.

Opening doors

After drawing, the group moved down the hall to their usual meeting place, a sunroom, and began to talk. Father Malecki was briefly called away to anoint an ill resident but used that as a springboard for discussion when he returned.

"He was looking for help, and the help I shared with him was the help of prayer," the priest said, describing the anointing in detail. "What would pour out of your heart at that moment?"

"`Thank you,'" one group member volunteered.

"A prayer for him for his health," said another.

"What other prayers might pour out of your heart?" Father Malecki asked. The group responded with "the Act of Contrition" and "the Our Father," then spontaneously began praying for the sick man.

Talking to God

Father Malecki pointed out that even David in the Bible argued with God. "What's the lesson for us?" he asked the group.

"Never forget who's your friend," a member said firmly.

The group adjourned for lunch, and Father Malecki declared their session successful. "I look at prayer as one of the manifestations of the deeper part of the soul," he explained. "I'm struck by [a group member's comment that] `God is someone you can talk to who loves you no matter what you've done.' In the case of my Aunt Josephine, that deepened [as her disease progressed]. They have a greater prayer life than others do."

On retreat

"I needed some quiet time," the priest had told the group.

At the recent session, that person had been too confused to take part in most of the group activities. Father Malecki called this cycle of "quiet and talkativeness" typical of Alzheimer's disease.

"There's no charting of this path," he concluded. "People often become more talkative after the group leaves. One woman started telling me about the years she was a schoolteacher in Buffalo. That's characteristic."

Learning from them

All he learns from the group will be used in his post-doctoral dissertation.

"It's pioneering work," he stated. "We can certainly add to our present knowledge. There's little knowledge on the unconscious or spiritual dimensions of Alzheimer's disease."

(05-13-99) [[In-content Ad]]