This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Dempsey, M. Articles by Baago, S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Dempsey, M. Articles by Baago, S. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Latent grief: The unique and hidden grief of carers of loved ones with dementia

Alzheimer Society of the Niagara Region, St Catharine's, Ontario, Canada

Sylvia Baago, MA

Alzheimer Society of the Niagara Region, St Catharine's, Ontario, Canada

This paper provides a preliminary model of latent grief, the very unique and hidden grief experience of family caregivers of individuals with dementia. This model is based on a critical review of both grief and dementia care literature, as well as our own clinical experience in working with these families. The model describes three dimensions of loss and a number of dynamics that contribute to the latency of the grief process. We see latent grief as a major factor in caregiver stress and burnout, and believe that an understanding of this process will help to validate the ongoing grief that is part of the caregivers' experience. This will allow caregivers to recognize that their emotional turmoil, which they perceive to be a result of the burden of care, is also in large part due to the losses they endure on a daily basis.

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 13, No. 2, 84-91 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/153331759801300206


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?