David Kessler explains anticipatory grief, the sadness you feel while someone with Alzheimer's or dementia is still alive. Experiencing it now doesn't erase grief after they die. His advice: feel your emotions fully and stay present with them, not mentally checked out.
There's a type of grief that a lot of people experience, but no one talks about. And it happens even before the person dies. When someone we love has a long illness, Alzheimer's, dementia, many types of chronic illnesses, anticipatory grief is the grief before the death. Some people have thought like, "Oh, it's like homework. I had so much anticipatory grief, I won't feel anything after they die." That's not how it works. I always tell people there's two things to do in anticipatory grief. You gotta feel all your feelings, and don't attend the funeral early. They're still here. Do things with them. Be present. Connect with them. Let me know your thoughts, and follow for more information and support.
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