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Twenty-seven wives who care for their spouses suffering from dementia completed the Anticipatory Grief Scale (AGS) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist--SCL-90-R. The alpha coefficient for the AGS was 0.84, indicating good internal consistency. The AGS was also positively and significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with the depression, anxiety, and hostility dimensions of the SCL-90-R, demonstrating good validity. This study explores bereavement issues of spouses of patients with dementia and provides preliminary findings on a new instrument to measure anticipatory grief., One person in 20 over the age of 65 suffers from dementia, but after 85 years of age the proportion increases to 1 in 5. Most elderly patients with dementia are cared for at home, usually by a spouse, who is helpless to prevent the progressive mental and physical deterioration of the patient. Anticipatory grief commonly occurs as the healthy spouse experiences the same phases of grief that occur after a death. However, anticipatory grief continues without closure, because the patient still lives. Emotions that accompany anticipatory grief include anger, guilt, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loss. So far, there has been no way to measure anticipatory grief. To test the new Anticipatory Grief Scale (AGS), 27 wives of men diagnosed with dementia were surveyed. The preliminary results indicate the AGS is valid (measures what it is supposed to measure) and reliable (will measure accurately time after time). As the patient's condition continually declines, and ever more care is required, spouses report anger, guilt, sadness, and anxiety. Recognition of the emotions that accompany anticipatory grief is important in providing support for the caregiver. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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