[The support of relatives of the demented elderly]

Relatives of patients suffering from senile dementia have to deal with multiple changes and difficulties. Emotional problems as well as the continuing care for the elderly demented patient may be a cause of progressive social isolation. The co-operation with professional helpers is often a source of considerable conflicts. These conflicts may still aggravate once the patient has been admitted into a specialized psychogeriatric ward. Conceptually some reactions of the relatives may be interpreted as manifestations of a mourning-process, where not only real losses play an important part, but also anticipated loss, e.g. the prospect of imminent death. The characteristics of anticipatory grief are: denial, depression, feelings of guilt and aggression. After an inventarization of the problems, the professional helper can provide the family with information concerning the disease and with advice about the home-care. In group-meetings relatives may support each other. Psychotherapeutic intervention may be necessary for the mourning relative.