Resources

Promote Catholic Aging Ministry

Rack Card English

Help us promote Catholic Aging and “The Peace with Dementia Rosary.”

Promote Catholic Aging Ministry

Rack Card Spanish Version

Help us promote Catholic Aging and “Rosario de la Paz con la Demencia” with Hispanic apostolates and Spanish-speaking families.

Free Handouts and Education

The 4Ms

The 4Ms are What Matters, Medications, Mentations, and Mobility. Together, they create a framework by which to look at your healthcare. Learn more and write down what the 4M are for you!

Free Handouts and Education

El Rosario de la Paz con la Demencia Primer Capítulo (Spanish version)

This is the first Joyful Mystery in “Rosario de la Paz con la Demencia.” You may download it to print as many copies as needed, as well as email it to as many people as you want. We only ask that you do not change anything on the handout. The handout offers very practical information and helps to promote the book.

Free Handouts and Education

The Peace with Dementia First Chapter

This is the first Joyful Mystery in “The Peace with Dementia Rosary.” You may download it to print as many copies as needed, as well as email it to as many people as you want. We only ask that you do not change anything on the handout. The handout offers very practical information and helps to promote the book.

Moral Guidance in Healthcare and Caregiving

National Catholic Bioethics Center

The Mission of The National Catholic Bioethics Center is to provide education, guidance, and resources to the Church and society to uphold the dignity of the human person in health care and biomedical research, thereby sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church.

Moral Guidance in Healthcare and Caregiving

PEG decision tree

This is an infographic published by the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) regarding the decision to use a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube for hydration and nutrition of a patient not able to eat normal foods. A full article by the CMA is also available explaining the decision tree.

Moral Guidance in Healthcare and Caregiving

When to recommend a PEG tube

This document is published by the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) regarding the decision to use a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube for hydration and nutrition of a patient not able to eat normal foods. This is an explanation of the CMA’s PEG Tube Decision Tree.

Moral Guidance in Healthcare and Caregiving

Ethical and Religious Directives

The ERD is published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and is a guide for Catholic healthcare institutions, as well as Catholics. It covers guidance from conception to natural death. 6th edition.

Church Documents

Blessings of Old Age

Blessings of Old Age is a 1999 pastoral message to older adults, to caregivers, to clergy and parishioners, and to younger people.

Church Documents

Evangelium Vitae

Evangelium vitae translated in English as ‘The Gospel of Life’, is a papal encyclical published on 25 March 1995 by Pope John Paul II.

Church Documents

Salvifici Dolores

Salvifici doloris is a February 1984 Apostolic letter by Pope St. John Paul II. Its theme was suffering in general in the light of the cross and salvific or redemptive suffering in particular.

Church Documents

Spe Salvi

Spe salvi facti sumus, is the second encyclical letter by Pope Benedict XVI promulgated on November 30, 2007, and is about the theological virtue of hope. Hope can be challenged when aging, caregiving, or in ill health. Pope Benedict XVI beautifully encourages us in the letter on Christian hope.

Church Documents

Letter to the Elderly

On October 1, 1999, St. John Paul II published his “Letter to the Elderly.”

Church Documents

Catechesis on Old Age

In 2022, Pope Francis offered 18 reflections on old age from February 23rd to August 24th. Opus Dei has compiled these papal audiences in a free PDF.

Patient and Family Guides

Firearm Life Plan

Firearm Life Plan (FLP) is a research-based website with resources to educate families on having a succession plan for firearms. When someone develops Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia type, they may lose safety awareness (very important with weapons) and may also, but not always, have paranoia. The FLP recognizes that firearms are more than a tool, but can have sentimental value and be part of someone’s identity as a protector and sportsman. You will find guidance on having a conversation about what to do with firearms if they are no longer safe to have access to, with input now with the firearms owner.

Patient and Family Guides

IHI Checklist

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement created this free document to learn about and document your 4Ms. Also see Catholic Aging’s 2-page document on the 4Ms.

Medications

Anticholinergic Burden Calculator

“Anticholinergics” are a type of medication that can create an unsafe burden for older adults. This reputable website will help you calculate the anticholinergic burden. Type in your medications with adding your name or other personal information.

Medications

Ten Medications Older Adults Should Avoid

As the body ages and changes, so does the way that medications are processed in the body. Some medications are not safe for older adults. Read on the learn more.

Mobility and Safety

The CDC’s STEADI Fall Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some amazing, useful information for preventing falls in the home and elsewhere. There are several checklists and articles to help keep you out of the emergency room, nursing home, or worse.  Remember to seek professional advice when doing home repairs and modifications. Consider speaking with an occupational therapist.

Mind and Mentation

Dementia Symptoms Checklist

This comprehensive tool from The National Council of Dementia Minds has been created by an interdisciplinary team of retired physicians who are living with neurocognitive disorders. There is a PDF to download and a video explaining each of the symptoms.