Loss and Grief in Dementia

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Section 2
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IntROduCtIOn
Grief has been described as the “constant yet hidden companion of Alzheimer’s
Disease and other related dementias. It is ever-present for the person with
dementia and accompanies their families and friends throughout the illness and
after death”
(30).
As healthcare staff 2 , you may think about grief as something which only occurs following the death
of a person.However, grief can occur as a reaction to losses which occur in many different aspects
in our lives (e.g. the loss of a job, the loss of a pet, changes in roles, the loss of a pet etc.).
Loss and grief is one of the most significant and under recognised issues faced by people with
dementia and their families (31). People with dementia experience multiple losses in different areas of
their lives, and these losses build in number and magnitude as the disease progresses (32-34). Grief
occurs in different ways at all stages in the dementia journey for the person, for the family and for
healthcare staff supporting them (35). Recognising, validating and supporting people experiencing loss
and grief is an essential part of good person- centred dementia care and good end-of-life care.
2.
For the purposes of this document the term ‘healthcare staff’ has been used to refer to health and social care staff.
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Loss and Grief in Dementia