Prayer as Therapy Among the Frail Jewish Elderly

It is generally accepted that religion grows in importance for old people, perhaps as a solace for increased isolation and dependency; or as their eventual demise is anticipated. Even among the frail elderly and the demented there is an awareness of a Higher Being and a desire to establish contact. In the Melabev clubs for the mentally impaired elderly in Israel we have discovered that including the ritual of prayer in our daily program has a therapeutic value. The familiar prayers are comfortable, the activity is respectful, non-threatening, structured and adult-like. It allows each member to take part at his functional level and for certain participants to "prove" themselves; and it is a source of stimulation and/or spiritualism for many. Which of the many functions of prayer are meaningful to the demented aged is yet to be explored.