Caring for parent with dementia forces you to honor someone who no longer remembers you raised them, creating grief that compounds daily as person you knew disappears gradually while body remains.
God commands honoring father and mother without qualifying that command based on whether they remember who you are or can reciprocate care you’re providing.
The obligation remains regardless of their cognitive state.
Most caregivers aren’t prepared for emotional devastation of watching parent’s personality dissolve while you’re simultaneously managing behavioral issues, safety concerns, and exhaustion that never fully lifts.
Churches preach about honoring parents during Mother’s Day sermons but offer minimal practical support for adult children providing round-the-clock dementia care while trying to maintain jobs, marriages, and sanity.
You need respite care, financial assistance, emotional support from people who understand this unique grief, and permission to acknowledge this is brutally hard without someone spiritualizing your struggle with platitudes about God’s plan.
Your parent’s dignity doesn’t disappear with their memory.
Neither does your obligation to care for them with honor despite how difficult that becomes.
This is sacrificial love at its hardest.
The Person You’re Caring For Isn’t Who They Were
Dementia doesn’t just steal memories.
It fundamentally changes personality, removing filters, altering behavior, and sometimes creating hostility in people who were previously gentle.
You’re grieving someone who’s still physically present.
That’s uniquely painful because grief has no resolution while they’re alive but also not themselves.
People who’ve never provided dementia care don’t understand you’re mourning loss of relationship while simultaneously providing intensive physical care for someone who might not recognize you or appreciate what you’re doing.
The parent who raised you is gone.
The person remaining needs care you’re providing out of obligation and love for who they were, not who they currently are.
That distinction is important because it validates your grief while you’re still caregiving.
You’re allowed to mourn the loss of relationship even though your parent is technically still alive.
Stop letting people dismiss your grief with statements like “at least they’re still here.”
Their body is here. The person you knew isn’t. Both truths coexist and acknowledging that doesn’t make you ungrateful or selfish.
Honor the parent they were by caring excellently for the person they’ve become, even when that person is difficult, unrecognizable, or unable to express gratitude for your sacrifice.
Bible Verses For Caring For A Parent With Dementia
1. Exodus 20:12 – Honor Your Father and Mother
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
New International Version (NIV)
Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise.
2. Proverbs 23:22 – Listen to Your Father
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Listen to your father who gave you life. Don’t despise your mother when she’s old.
3. 1 Timothy 5:8 – Provide for Relatives
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
New King James Version (NKJV)
If anyone doesn’t provide for family, they’ve denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.
4. Galatians 6:2 – Carry Each Other’s Burdens
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Carry each other’s burdens. This fulfills Christ’s law.
5. Psalm 71:9 – Do Not Cast Me Away
Don’t discard me in my old age; don’t abandon me when my strength is gone.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Don’t cast me away when I’m old. Don’t forsake me when my strength is gone.
6. Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus invites you to bring your burdens to Him. He gives rest.
7. Isaiah 46:4 – Even to Your Old Age
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you.
King James Version (KJV)
Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He who will sustain you.
8. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Even through the darkest valley, fear no evil. God is with you.
9. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The God of All Comfort
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times.
The Message (MSG)
God comforts you so you can comfort others with the comfort you’ve received.
10. Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All Things
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace].
Amplified Bible (AMP)
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
11. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
New English Translation (NET)
Don’t be afraid. God will strengthen, help, and uphold you.
12. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Burden
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Cast your burden on God. He will sustain you and never let you fall.
13. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety
God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Cast all your anxiety on God because He cares for you.
14. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close
The LORD is close to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.
Good News Translation (GNT)
God is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those crushed in spirit.
15. Romans 8:28 – All Things Work Together
We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.
New Century Version (NCV)
God works everything together for good for those who love Him.
16. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence.
International Standard Version (ISV)
Trust God completely. Acknowledge Him in everything. He’ll direct your paths.
17. Lamentations 3:22-23 – His Mercies Never Cease
ADONAI’s mercies never end; His compassions never fail. They are new every morning! Great is Your faithfulness.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
God’s mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.
18. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
God is your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
19. Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Wait on the Lord
But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
World English Bible (WEB)
Those who wait on God renew their strength. They’ll soar like eagles.
20. Psalm 121:1-2 – I Lift Up My Eyes
I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come? My help cometh from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Your help comes from God who made heaven and earth.
21. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
God’s grace is sufficient. His power is perfected in weakness.
22. Psalm 147:3 – He Heals the Brokenhearted
He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
New American Bible (NAB)
God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
23. Matthew 5:4 – Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are they that mourne: for they shalbe comforted.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
Blessed are those who mourn. They will be comforted.
24. Hebrews 13:5 – I Will Never Leave You
Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
English Revised Version (ERV)
God will never leave or forsake you under any circumstances.
25. Psalm 18:32 – God Arms Me With Strength
God! He is girding me with strength, And He maketh perfect my way.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
God arms you with strength. He makes your way perfect.
26. James 1:5 – If Any Lacks Wisdom
But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not; and it shall be given to him.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
If you need wisdom, ask God. He gives generously without finding fault.
27. Psalm 9:9 – A Refuge for the Oppressed
And the Lord schal be maad refuyt to a pore man; an helpere in couenable tymes in tribulacioun.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
God is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
28. Philippians 4:6-7 – Do Not Be Anxious
Be nothing carefull: but in all things let your petitions be shewed vnto God in prayer and supplication with giuing of thanks.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
Don’t be anxious about anything. Pray about everything with thanksgiving.
29. Psalm 91:1-2 – He Who Dwells
Who so dwelleth vnder the defence of the most hygh, shall abyde vnder the shadowe of the almyghtye.
Bishop’s Bible
Dwell in the shelter of the Most High. Rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
30. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – The Lord of Peace
Now the Lorde of peace geve you peace all wayes, by all meanes. The Lorde be with you all.
Tyndale Bible
May the Lord of peace give you peace at all times and in every way.
31. Psalm 62:8 – Pour Out Your Heart
O my people, trust him all the time. Pour out your longings before him, for he can help!
The Living Bible (TLB)
Trust God at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for He is your refuge.
32. Isaiah 40:11 – He Tends His Flock
Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
God tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers lambs in His arms.
33. Nahum 1:7 – The Lord Is Good
The Eternal is good and a stronghold in times of distress. He cares for those who put their trust in Him.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
God is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust Him.
34. Psalm 73:26 – God Is the Strength
My body and my mind may become weak. But God is my strength. He is everything I will ever need.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Your flesh and heart may fail, but God is your strength forever.
35. Psalm 37:39 – The Lord Helps Them
The victories of righteous people come from the LORD. He is their fortress in times of trouble.
God’s Word Translation (GWT)
Salvation of the righteous comes from God. He’s their stronghold in time of trouble.
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Caring For A Parent With Dementia
Scripture commands honoring parents without exemptions for when they develop dementia and no longer recognize you or appreciate your sacrifices.
The obligation remains regardless of how difficult caregiving becomes or whether they remember your relationship.
That standard is hard.
Dementia care requires level of sacrifice most people never anticipated providing for parents who fundamentally change as disease progresses.
The person you’re caring for often isn’t the parent you knew anymore.
Churches that preach about honoring parents need to provide practical support for families providing dementia care, not just spiritual platitudes.
That means funding respite care, organizing meal trains, offering caregiver support groups, and acknowledging this grief is legitimate even though parent is technically still alive.
You’re allowed to struggle.
You’re allowed to grieve the loss of relationship while simultaneously providing excellent physical care.
Those realities coexist and acknowledging both doesn’t make you ungrateful or spiritually weak.
God sees your exhaustion.
He knows this sacrifice costs you emotionally, physically, financially, and relationally. Your faithfulness honors Him even when it feels like you’re drowning.
Say This Prayer
Father, I’m exhausted from caring for my parent who doesn’t remember me anymore. Give me strength for another day when I don’t think I can keep going.
Help me honor the parent they were by caring excellently for the person they’ve become, even when that person is difficult, hostile, or unrecognizable from who raised me.
I declare You see my sacrifice. You understand this unique grief of mourning someone still physically present. Sustain me through this caregiving journey I never wanted but can’t abandon.
Surround me with people who help practically, not just with prayers. Give me respite when I need it and grace to accept that help without guilt.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.