The role of grief in dementia caregiving

Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2010 Feb;25(1):9-17. doi: 10.1177/1533317509333902.

Abstract

The literature examining issues of caregiver stress, burden,or depression has focused on the stress-process model of caregiving, which posits that there are characteristics inherent in dementia and in the course of caregiving for a person with dementia that can cause stress in the caregiver's life. A more recent literature has emerged that argues that issues of loss and grief play a significant role ina caregiver's ability to cope with the stressors of caregiving. This article reviews the caregiver stress and grief literatures,and proposes a conceptual model of dementia caregiving that outlines pathways of stress and grief in dementia caregiving. Issues specific to caregiver grief are proposed for future research and intervention design.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Aged
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Caregivers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cost of Illness
  • Dementia / therapy*
  • Grief*
  • Humans
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology