Alzheimer's Disease: Telling Your Loved One Of His Diagnose

How will you tell your loved one that he or she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease?

This task is no simple matter; however, it is one you should pursue as a caregiver and as a loved one yourself. You might think that it is not the right thing to do—that somehow ignorance is bliss. If you don't tell him or her about the diagnosis that he or she will avoid having that knowledge as a burden or a stigma. Also, since there aren't a bevy of successful treatments, your loved one might feel a sense of hopelessness against the disease. Perhaps ignorance is bliss, then?

Actually, the opposite may be true. If you do not tell your older adult about the diagnosis, he or she will wonder about lost memory and other dilemmas that are directly related to understanding the disease. He or she will not understand why these occurrences are happening, thus increasing anger and frustration. Perhaps, then, it is better to give your loved one something to be angry at or something to plan treatment. If your loved one has concerns or suspicions that something more is wrong than just “forgetfulness,” then you owe it to him to give his suspicions context and clarity. Hopefully, the knowledge will make him or her feel less alone, or “crazy”.

You should also watch out for denial after telling your older adult about the diagnosis. Some individuals, when told, will not acknowledge the Alzheimer's, but will acknowledge the memory loss they have experienced. It is also possible that your loved one may deny the diagnosis altogether.

No matter how your loved one responds, it is important to reassure that you will be there for him or her every step of the way. Alzheimer's is a very frightening diagnosis, and the reassurance that it is a battle the two of you—plus extended family—can fight together will be comforting in the face of this diagnosis.

Resource: The Mayo Clinic