Finding Grace in Caregiving arises out of Bradley Hanson’s quest for grace in caregiving his wife, Marion, who has Alzheimer’s Disease. Hanson knows from long experience that caregiving someone with dementia is very tiring and stressful. In search of spiritual practices that would foster patience and kindness, he turned to Scripture for guidance. The heart of the book is reflection on the qualities that St. Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, and gentleness. Drawing also on his personal interviews with others across the country who care for someone with some form of dementia, Hanson gives caregivers encouragement, guidance, and hope. Those of us who do long-term caring for someone with dementia, whether we are a family member or professional caregiver, generally try to be patient and kind. Yet the stress and fatigue of long-term caregiving may lead us at times to erupt with anger. Since caring for his beloved wife, Marion, since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2010, Brad Hanson has looked to what St. Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit in strengthening his kindness. "Here is a clear-eyed account of the spiritual resources that can be found in the 'demanding, mostly mundane, tedious' experience of long-term caregiving. It is filled with examples drawn from the first-hand experience of the author and others who are caring for family members with varying stages of dementia." --George Anderson, President emeritus, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa "Brad Hanson offers glimpses into his daily experience of caring for his wife, Marion, while she lives with Alzheimer's disease. As a theologian, he ties his daily experiences in compassionate caregiving to biblical principles--in particular, the fruits of the spirit. The book is a wonderful reminder that the call to caregiving is in fact a gift." --Ruth Bullock, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Director of Behavioral Health, Alaska "Although general information on the care of dementia patients is ubiquitous, rarely do we have insight into the day-to-day care of this disease over a period of decades. Hanson does just that as he invites us to journey with his and his beloved wife's drift into darkness. . . . The core of the book introduces, reminds, encourages, and teaches us to seek the power of Christian grace to lighten our burden as caregivers. . . . This book should be in the hands of dementia caregivers; individuals suspicious of dementia in a family member, friend, or acquaintance; and surely too, individuals not actively involved in dementia care, so that in knowing of the problems faced by caregiver and patient alike, a greater empathy for the people involved would develop." --Clyde L. Olson, Ophthalmology Associates PA, Savannah, Georgia Bradley Hanson is Professor Emeritus of Religion at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He was Director of Grace Institute for Spiritual Formation 2000-2021. He is the author of six previous books including A Graceful Life (2000) and Grace That Frees (2004).