What happens if you tell an Alzheimer's patient that he/she has Alzheimer's?

If you clearly explain to him his ailment, can he comprehend it? How would the usual Alzheimer's patient react?

It really depends on how far advanced into the stages they are. Most in the mid-range already know that something is wrong, as the forgetfulness gets worse and they experience periods of missing time. Just like with any terminal diagnosis, they may go through stages of depression and anger.

If they are already advanced to end stages, where periods of lucidity are few and far between, they may not comprehend what you're saying at all, or forget and ask you again in 5 minutes. It depends on the patient's personality as to how they'll react. Some get angry and think you're wrong, other's nod their heads in acceptance.

Yes he can comprehend it but he cannot retain it. Like most things that too will be lost in the mind somewhere. We are in the same boat with my husbands grandfather, good luck

they know at first =when thy get to the 3rd stage like my Dad is ,they forget it shortly after talking to them and they are better off,I think, not being told by then= they are going into their own little world and there isn't much we can do other then love them

Wow, there's just no telling. Depending on the severity of the Alzheimers, the patient may have some moments more lucid than others.

Some patients never get lucid enough to recognize relatives, etc., and I'd guess their comprehension of the fact they have the disease would be about zero, too.

It's a cruel disease. The person may or may not remember your words and if they do not each time you tell them the experience will be fresh.
They may cry or become depressed or angry. They have less restraint on what will come out of thier mouths due to the disease and limited control on thier own behavior

They'd just forget anyway so why tell 'em

There is no "usual" Alzheimer's patient. They are each unique.

If a patient's disease has progressed very far, s/he probably would forget the conversation soon after it taking place. Someone in early-stages AD, though, might react with intense emotion, much as you or I would.

Usually, they do not understand or believe you...then they forget what you told them.