Are Alzheimer’s Patients aware of their condition?

There is a term called Anosognosia. That is often used to describe this when it comes to the disease. It is a lack of awareness of their disease. It is important to note that this does not mean the person living with the disease denies their condition. It means that changes in their brain due to the disease are causing them to lack awareness of their own deficits.

Patients with Anosognosia truly believe there is nothing wrong with them because they cannot see what we see. This is often seen in patients thinking they can still drive when their driving is impaired or refusing to get skilled care because they truly do not think they require it.

Around 60 percent of patients with mild cognitive impairment and other dementias like Alzheimer’s present with some form of anosognosia. What often confuses care partners is how someone presents differs from each patient.  A person’s lack of insight into their impairment can be selective or complete. It could impact all areas of functioning if it is complete, or it may be selective and just be focused on their physical abilities, for example. This is why many care partners associate this lack of awareness with denial.

That being said, many patients are aware of their disease. Even more so in the early to mid-stages of the disease.  How you communicate to your loved ones is going to depend on their level of insight. For example, someone in the early stages of the disease may have a productive conversation about their care if they do not suffer from anosognosia. But someone who suffers from it; trying to reason with them could actually make things worse and cause agitation and anger.

There are many support services for people living with the disease and their care partners. Such as the Alzheimer’s Association Free 24/7 help at 800-272-3900. The Alzheimer’s Foundation also has a helpline, and they can be reached at 866-232-8484. Both of these helplines are staffed with licensed counselors, and the services are free in most cases.