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Holding On, Letting Grief In

The Program

Nine modules on anticipatory and ambiguous grief in dementia caregiving, grounded in dementia-caregiving research, with concrete steps you can try today alongside space to reflect. Go in order, or skip to whatever feels most relevant right now — there's no wrong way to use this.

This program offers educational content, not therapy or medical advice. If you're in crisis, see our crisis resources. Read the full disclaimer.

Module 1

Understanding Anticipatory & Ambiguous Grief

Why it's possible to grieve someone with dementia before they die — and how the losses arrive one stage at a time.

About 12 min read

Module 2

When They Don't Know You: Grieving Memory and Recognition

What to do with the specific grief of being forgotten, mistaken for someone else, or met with a blank look where recognition used to be.

About 11 min read

Module 3

Acceptance & Redefining the Relationship

Moving toward what's true, and finding concrete new ways to stay connected as the relationship changes.

About 11 min read

Module 4

Guilt, Ambivalence, and the Person You Knew

Why relief, frustration, and love can all be true at once — and how to loosen guilt's grip on specific dementia-caregiving moments.

About 11 min read

Module 5

Coping with Hard Moments: Agitation, Aggression, and Sundowning

Understanding difficult behaviors as symptoms, not character — and specific ways to protect your own heart when caregiving turns hard in the moment.

About 12 min read

Module 6

Finding Meaning and Hope

How grief and growth can coexist, and what hope can look like without needing a cure.

About 8 min read

Module 7

Anticipating the Future: Decline, Placement, and What's Ahead

Making room for the emotional side of what's ahead — including the specific grief of considering memory care — not just the practical side.

About 11 min read

Module 8

You Don't Have to Carry This Alone

The specific grief of isolation in dementia caregiving, and concrete ways to find people who understand.

About 10 min read

Module 9

Telling Their Story

A guided space to write about who they were — and, if you'd like, share it so others can remember them too.

About 10 min read