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 Benbow, S.M. Articles by Quinn, A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Benbow, S.M. Articles by Quinn, A. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Dementia, grief and dying

Central Manchester Health Authority

A. Quinn

St Ann's Hospice, Heald Green, Cheadle

Four case studies are presented to illustrate dilemmas in the care of demented people who are grieving or who are themselves dying. The grieving process is complicated in those who suffer from cognitive impairment, but patients can be helped to mourn if carers recognize their memory difficulty and facilitate learning over a prolonged period. Sometimes the grief may be exhibited as behavioural changes which may not be recognized as representing grief. Relatives' attitudes and those of staff can further complicate management of the bereaved person, but an awareness of the relatives' fears may allow staff to modify their own and relatives' attitudes, and thus assist the demented bereaved person's mourning. The person with dementia who is dying can also present a complex of problems, and an understanding of the effects of dementia is essential in allowing sensitive management of their terminal illness.

Key Words: attitude to death • bereavement • dementia • grief

Palliative Medicine, Vol. 4, No. 2, 87-92 (1990)
DOI: 10.1177/026921639000400205


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