Grief and Ambiguous Loss

Grief can take many forms and people tend to deal with grief in different ways. Grief is typically thought of in the context of the death of a friend or loved one. However, people can grieve in other ways such as the loss of independence or during a major life transition. Another form of grief called ambiguous loss, is loss without closure. This commonly occurs in those caring for a loved one living with dementia. They feel as if they are watching the person they once knew change or “slip away.” As professionals, we should be aware of the different types of grief and how this may affect the older adults and families with whom we work. Listen to this podcast to learn more about grief and ways to cope with ambiguous loss.