Dementia – A Different Kind of Grief Dementia brings about many changes in familiar patterns and behaviors. Dementia can mean uncharacteristic angry outbursts or a complete loss of communication. Those living with dementia may drift in and out of the present moment while obsessively revisiting the past. This means a loss of relationship with who they were and a new relationship with who they’ve become before the final physical loss. Dementia grief is a delicate dance between now and then.