Alzheimer's disease has a group of symptoms characteristic of a syndrome known as dementia. This condition of the elderly becoming forgetful and unable to adequately care for themselves was once called senility. Terms such as senility are used less frequently to describe AD, but other terms are still used. Senile dementia, or primary degenerative dementia, may be used occasionally to describe AD. Rather than being told a family member has Alzheimer's, families frequently hear that loved ones have dementia. In some cases, neither families nor professionals clarify that diagnosis, giving the impression that loved ones have dementia but not AD.

There are numerous reasons why family members do not clarify that a diagnosis of dementia might actually be Alzheimer's. When a doctor makes a diagnosis, some people are not likely to question it. Families who had feared a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and then receive a diagnosis of dementia may avoid clarification. Because of denial and distress, families block diagnostic clarification, being more comfortable with any diagnosis that is not Alzheimer's. In these situations, dementia and Alzheimer's disease may be understood to be distinctly different conditions. Families are unaware that Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia.

There are several reasons family members are not told loved ones have Alzheimer's when they probably do. The doctor may want to observe the patient longer before making the diagnosis of AD. It is difficult to get persons with AD symptoms to the doctor's office or other locations where evaluations are done. Physicians may not be able to complete their evaluation. In such cases, it may not be appropriate for them to make the diagnosis of AD. Physicians may believe the person has Alzheimer's but may not make the diagnosis. Family members who receive a general diagnosis or no diagnosis may be confused when they talk with others who are caring for people with identical symptoms diagnosed as AD.

Caregivers who do not know or understand they are taking care of a loved one with AD or another type of dementia have no reason to change how they relate to their loved one. Not being told the diagnosis is Alzheimer's disease, they will not know to seek out an Alzheimer's support group or gather information that will help them take care of their loved one. Their adaptation to the caregiving situation will be centered on psychiatric symptoms, behavioral problems, and perplexing changes in the personality of their loved one. It is important that family members clarify the diagnosis so that they have the opportunity to learn how to care for the person with AD and cope with this disease. People with Alzheimer's have the right to know about their diagnosis so that they can make important decisions about their lives and learn to cope with changes that lie ahead. . .