Loss and Grief in Dementia

Appendices
Themes: All sourced material outlined above was reviewed in detail and analysed for common
themes by Sarah Cronin (IHF) with oversight from the expert advisory group. The themes and
subthemes that emerged from the literature are as follows:
• Responding to loss and grief in dementia
- Ambiguous loss and grief
- Disenfranchised grief
- Anticipatory grief
• Loss and Grief for the person with dementia
- Recognising losses encountered
- Recognising loss and grief
- Supporting a person with dementia
- Spirituality and dementia
• Loss and grief for family members
- Recognising losses encountered
- Responding to loss and grief
• Loss and grief issues for healthcare staff
- Self-care
- Need for organisational supports
Collation of themes/ Consensus Building: These key themes were presented to the expert advisory
group who considered them in relation to their own experience and practice. Based on the literature
review, it was agreed that the following were appropriate areas for guidance: Supporting the person
with dementia with loss and grief, supporting families with loss and grief and supporting yourself
(healthcare staff) with loss and grief.
Limitations: The approach used to develop this guidance document was based on methods outlined
in the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) Standards for Clinical Practice Guidance
(93). Literature was examined for relevance and graded. However, it was difficult to explicitly link
recommendations or guidance to the supporting evidence at all times, as recommended in NCEC
Standards for Clinical Practice Guidance due to the nature of the subject matter being discussed
(93). Evidence on effectiveness and cost effectiveness was not explored due to time and resource
constraints. Upon completion of the suite of seven guidance documents the plan for their
implementation will commence. This will include involvement of key stakeholders, realistic timelines
and integration of key guidance areas from each document into clinical practice.
Loss and Grief in Dementia
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