Anticipatory Grief for Dementia and Alzheimer's Patients Not Unusual

The Eagle-Tribune (MA) dealt with a question about anticipatory grief among family members of Alzheimer's and dementia patients. The executive director of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Rosanne DiStefano, answers a question from a member of a caregiver support group about mourning the loss of a family member before they die.

Families caring for someone with dementia often start the grieving process long before their loved one passes away. Many times the caregiver is not even consciously aware they are plodding through the stages of grief; they may be somewhat aware of bouts of sadness, depression, frustration and even anger or resentment, but they might not be able to put a label on the experience nor completely understand why they are experiencing these clashes of emotions.