06/05/2026
Two Relationships, One Person
Last weekend I celebrated my aunt’s 80th birthday surrounded by family. It was a beautiful time filled with gratitude, laughter, and memories. And yet there was sadness too as it was clear that my aunt was living with dementia and her memory and awareness was declining.
It was a reminder of something I learned while being trained in the Grief Recovery Method®:
When someone develops dementia, you may find yourself grieving two different relationships.
The relationship you had with the person before dementia.
And the relationship you have with them now.
Both relationships matter. Both contain memories, hopes, disappointments, and emotions.
Many caregivers and family members feel confused by their sadness because their loved one is still alive.
But grief isn’t limited to death. We grieve changes, too.
If you’ve loved someone with dementia, you’re not grieving “wrong.” You’re responding to a real loss.
💜 Join a Grief Recovery Method Small Group this summer. Learn the myths we’ve learned from our family, friends and culture and how to process your own grief as well as be there for others going through their own. DM to hop on a no cost consult today.
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