Ambigious Loss

Ambiguous loss and grief in dementia: A resource for individuals and families

This resource is meant primarily to help you, as a caregiver, gain a better understanding of how loss and grief can affect you and the person with dementia. It also provides valuable information to help people with dementia deal with their own losses and grief, and live as well as possible with the disease.

In addition, you will find useful strategies and tips to:

• Help you cope with multiple losses and grief

• Stay connected to the person with dementia

• Remain healthy and resilient through the progression of the disease

Loss and grief are among the most significant and challenging issues you will face as a caregiver when supporting a person with dementia. Dementia is a fatal, progressive and degenerative disease that destroys brain cells. Whether you are caring for your spouse, your parent or a friend with dementia, you may experience losses and grief in different ways at all stages in the dementia caregiving journey.

As a caregiver, you may grieve:

• The loss of your dreams and plans for the future

• The loss of a confidant and partner

• The loss of shared roles and responsibilities

• The progressive losses in the life of the person with dementia

The ambiguous loss that you may feel caring for a person with dementia can make the caregiving experience even harder. Fortunately, understanding loss and grief can help to ease the effects of the disease.