People suffering from dementia often experience a sense of loss that resembles grief as the life they once knew slips away from them. Their own reactions and experiences, along with society's responses, can lead to trauma and sadness for both those affected and their loved ones. Understanding this sadness can be a useful aid in building connections with people suffering from dementia; emotions and behaviors become more comprehensible, and empathy becomes possible when individuals draw on their own experiences with sadness to relate to those affected. Therefore, it can be helpful to refer to one's own understanding of grief and loss when supporting those affected. By viewing the journey of people with dementia as a path of farewell to life, it becomes easier to treat them with respect and uphold their dignity.