The onset of dementia following bereavement

A case history approach is used to support the hypothesis from the literature that there may be a relationship between bereavement and the onset of dementia. The four cases report people caring for spouses or parents with life-threatening illness who become bereaved. The findings provide evidence that bereavement is a factor involved in the rapid development and progression of Alzheimer's type dementia. Although not conclusive, these findings should lend a stimulus to further studies with regard to care of caregivers with particular reference to bereavement.