Grief is a feeling of deep sorrow that stems from a significant event. It can be the death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, or anything that causes sadness and a lifestyle change. But “ambiguous grief” occurs when caregivers and family members feel loss while someone is still alive, such as when a loved one has dementia or is estranged.

Both types of grief can be made worse during the holidays because of expectations of how things are “supposed” to be, especially since traditions are often tied to this time of year.

To manage ambiguous loss and grief, recognize that things will be different, but trying these strategies can help you navigate the holidays and other difficult times.

If you are celebrating the holidays with someone who has a dementia-related condition:

Acknowledge that t

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