Understanding Ambiguous Loss: Finding Hope When Your Loved One is Both Here and Gone

Health Futures with Host Bob Roth

When caring for someone with dementia, you experience what Dr. Pauline Boss calls "ambiguous loss" – the painful paradox of having someone physically present but psychologically absent. This creates "frozen grief," often unrecognized by others, leading to isolation for caregivers. Dr. Boss recommends joining support groups, maintaining social connections, accepting help, finding controllable activities, and educating family members. Even as an expert who's written eight books on the topic, she found caregiving for her husband humbling, noting "it was easier to write about it than to do it." Community support remains essential alongside medical research. #AmbiguousLoss #DementiaCare #CaregiverSupport #FrozenGrief #PaulineBoss #MeaningAndHope #CaregiverHealth #ElderCare #AlzheimersAwareness #SupportGroups