Dementia in Ministry
Presented by Dr. Sam Downing
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
10:00 - 12:30 PT
Dementia in Ministry: Awareness, Prevention & Compassionate Communication
Aging is a natural part of our human experience, and we are experiencing more and more the effects of this process in ministry. This workshop is designed to empower us as we serve these individuals as compassionate, welcoming, and supportive spiritual communities. This practical workshop will provide ministry leaders, staff, volunteers, and caregivers with helpful tools for recognizing and responding to dementia.
Participants will explore four key areas:
Early Warning Signs — Recognizing changes that may indicate dementia rather than normal aging.
The Value of Early Detection — Understanding why early assessment matters and learning about options for evaluation and diagnosis.
Prevention Strategies — Exploring evidence-based lifestyle practices that may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and support brain health.
Compassionate Communication — Learning practical strategies for communicating with people living with dementia in ways that honor their dignity, reduce frustration, and strengthen connection.
Join us as we learn how greater awareness, understanding, and compassion can help our ministries better support individuals and families experiencing the journey of dementia.
Dr. Sam Downing is a longtime Arizona family physician whose career has been devoted to compassionate care across every stage of life. A graduate of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, he has served the Prescott area for more than 35 years, with particular expertise in family medicine, geriatrics, hospice and palliative care, and long-term care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Downing has served as medical director for numerous hospice, nursing, HIV care, and senior-care programs and currently serves as Medical Director of the Arizona Pioneer Home and as a physician in outpatient palliative medicine. His dedication to patients and community has been recognized with honors including the 2017 Arizona Academy of Family Physicians Physician of the Year.
Beyond medicine, Sam is a husband, father, person of faith, and active member of the Prescott community. He enjoys sports, hiking, traveling, playing the drums, and singing. He brings to his work not only decades of medical knowledge, but a warm and practical understanding of the human experience of aging.