Losing Someone Before They Die: Dementia, Ambiguous Loss & Anticipatory Grief

What happens when someone you love is still physically present, but the relationship you once knew is changing?

For families living alongside dementia, progressive illness or significant cognitive decline, grief can begin long before death. There may be repeated losses — of memory, communication, shared roles, independence, recognition and the future once imagined together.

This workshop explores ambiguous loss and anticipatory grief — forms of grief that can be deeply painful, complex and often poorly understood.

Together, we will explore:

• What is ambiguous loss?
• What is anticipatory grief?
• Grieving someone who is still alive
• Dementia and changing relationships
• Repeated and cumulative losses
• Changes in family roles
• The transition from partner, child or family member to carer
• Guilt, exhaustion, anger and conflicting emotions
• Grief before death
• Maintaining connection when a relationship changes
• Supporting carers and families

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is for anyone supporting or caring for a loved one living with dementia, a progressive illness or significant cognitive decline, as well as health professionals, carers, volunteers, family members and anyone wanting to better understand ambiguous loss and anticipatory grief.