Question

Which person is experiencing anticipatory grief?

a. Person whose former spouse is dead.
b. Person who is caring for a patient with severe dementia.
c. Person who has a conflicted relationship with the deceased.
d. Person whose husband's body is not found after a terrorist attack.

Answer 1

Person B, caring for a patient with severe dementia, is experiencing anticipatory grief. Anticipatory grief pertains to grieving an expected loss before it occurs, and it's part of the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Anticipatory grief is the grief that occurs before a loss, particularly when a loss is expected, and it involves grieving the anticipated death of a loved one. In the options provided, person B, who is caring for a patient with severe dementia, is experiencing anticipatory grief, as they may be mourning the gradual loss of the person they once knew, even though the patient is still alive.

The five stages of grief as proposed by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross are:

1. Denial: The person refuses to believe the loss is happening or has happened.
2. Anger: The person may feel frustration and helplessness, often questioning "Why me?"
3. Bargaining: The person may try to negotiate or make a deal to avoid the loss.
4. Depression: The person feels profound sadness and loss.
5. Acceptance: The person comes to terms with the loss and accepts the reality of the situation.

It's important to note that not everyone will experience all these stages, and they may not occur in this order. Some people might skip stages, or experience stages in a different sequence, and some stages may repeat. Understanding these stages can offer insight into a variety of loss experiences, including those related to death, terminal illness, and dementia.