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The diagnosis of dementia: who wants to know?
- Author:
- ELSON Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 14(5), September 2006, pp.36-38.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
The author describes a study which sought the views of older people who were consulting their doctors about memory difficulties, on whether they would like to be informed of a subsequent possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The study asked a sample of people aged 65 and over who had been referred for investigation of their memory complaints. They lived in South Wales, in two NHS Trust areas. Of the 36 people interviewed, most people (31, 86%) wished to be told if specifically diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Do older adults presenting with memory complaints wish to be told if later diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease?
- Author:
- ELSON Paul
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(5), May 2006, pp.419-425.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Many patients with Alzheimer's disease are not told their diagnosis. Studies have shown that relatives possess mixed views regarding whether or not patients should be told while elderly peers favour disclosure. Recent studies have shown that patients with diagnosed dementia also favour being told. The present study sought the views of patients prior to diagnosis. Participants in this UK study were a consecutive sample of patients aged 65 and over suffering from memory complaints. They were asked what they considered to be causing their memory problems and whether or not they would want to know the cause. They were then specifically asked if they would want to know if diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and what were their reasons for this. Two-thirds of patients were uncertain regarding the cause of their memory difficulties although the remainder did offer some valid explanations. Eighty-six per cent wanted to know the cause while 69% wanted to know if diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and a variety of reasons were offered to support their preference. The majority of older adults presenting to services with memory complaints had little understanding of the potential cause of their problems. Most were nevertheless keen to know the cause, even if this transpired to be Alzheimer's disease. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions made for future research.