Safe Space Radio
Safe Space Radio
Safe Space Radio
Dementia as Ambiguous Loss with Pauline Boss
2 minutes Posted Sep 2, 2013 at 5:00 pm.
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Show notes
Dr. Pauline Boss discusses the experience of ambiguous loss. Dementia often creates a situation in which a person’s body is present, but the mind is absent. For caregivers, this can generate feelings of ambivalence toward the person with dementia, including wishing for this person’s death as a way to resolve the ambiguity. Dr. Boss says that these normal wishes can leave the caregiver feeling guilty and confused, and she stresses that caregivers need community support, starting with a recognition of the ambiguous loss that has taken place.