My mum and dad had been married for 65 years - he passed away unexpectedly in his sleep a week ago. Mum has dementia and no short term memory. I had to sit her down to tell her dad had died. She thought he was asleep but when the carers came at lunch time they realised he had passed away. He had not been ill. So she asks where he is and suffers the shock repeatedly of learning the sad news. Now the flat is full of sympathy cards and flowers so she knows something is wrong. Does anyone have any advice for us regarding how we ensure she doesn't experience so much distress having to repeatedly be told he has died? I have written down all the questions she asks (on a constant loop) onto a notebook along with all the answers and she sits reading it. It seems to be helping but we don't know if she will ever be able to remember he has died. Has anyone ideas on how to help her come to understand what has happened.?