Telling Others About an Alzheimer Diagnosis When you learn that someone you care about has Alzheimer’s, you may hesitate to tell the person that he or she has the disease. You may also have a hard time deciding whether to tell family and friends. Once you are emotionally ready to discuss the diagnosis, how will you break the news? Here are some suggestions for talking about the disease with others. Respect the person’s right to know • You may want to protect the person by withholding information. But your loved one is an adult with the right to know the truth. It can be a relief to hear the diagnosis, especially if the person had suspected he or she had Alzheimer’s disease. • In many cases, people who are diagnosed early are able to participate in important decisions about their healthcare and legal and financial planning. • While there is no current cure for Alzheimer’s, life will not stop with the diagnosis. There are treatments and services that can make life better for everyone.