A dementia illness doesn't just turn the lives of those affected upside down. Dementia also represents a significant change for relatives, not least in terms of their emotional situation. Researchers from Great Britain and Australia have investigated the role of grief in this and which factors are associated with it.
Dementia is currently incurable and is characterized by a continuous worsening of symptoms. It is only natural that dealing with the illness evokes strong emotions, including grief. Grief is not limited to a specific phase but often occurs during the course of the illness. Grief also plays a significant role after the death of the person with dementia. While a certain amount of „healthy“ grief is natural, intense grief can also become detrimental to one's own health.
Spouses are particularly affected
According to the author team, ten to 18 percent of participants in the studied trials were either affected by complicated grief before death or were at least at an increased risk of grief negatively impacting their health. In the period after death, six to 26 percent were affected by complicated grief.
Being a spouse, lower educational attainment, caring for individuals with advanced dementia, as well as greater burden and depression were factors associated with greater grief even before the death of the person with dementia. Low educational attainment and depression were associated with greater grief after death. Those who struggled with grief and depression before the death of the person with dementia often carry it into the period after death.
Studies from various countries taken into account
In the scope of the review paper, 55 studies were analyzed. Most of the studies originated from the USA, and two studies from Germany were also included. The researchers concluded that it is important to know the factors associated with a higher degree of grief. This could ultimately help identify individuals and relatives who need support before grief endangers their own health.
Tip for practice: Ensure that the grief associated with dementia does not make you or your loved ones ill. If the emotional burden becomes too great, seek (psychological) help or advise loved ones who need help to do so.
Here's the study:
Grief in family caregivers of people living with dementia: A systematic review
