National Dementia Guidelines for disclosing a diagnosis

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Alzheimer Society of Canada（https://www.alzheimer.ca/en） 20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8

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About dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia）

What is dementia?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-dementia） What is dementia?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-dementia） The term "dementia" doesn't actually refer to one, specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.

Common questions about dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-dementia/common-questions-about-dementia） Get the answers to the most common questions about dementia.

Dementia numbers in Canada（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-dementia/dementia-numbers-canada） The Alzheimer Society is committed to providing accurate and reliable data on dementia in Canada. Statistics listed on this page are the most current available and are updated periodically when new reports and studies are issued.

Reports on dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/research/reports-dementia） Understand dementia and its impact in Canada and around the world.

Young onset dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/young-onset-dementia） When symptoms of dementia start before the age of 65, we use the term "young onset dementia."

What is Alzheimer's disease?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease） What is Alzheimer's disease?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease） Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that destroys brain cells, causing thinking ability and memory to deteriorate over time. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging, and is irreversible.

The history behind Alzheimer's disease（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease/history-behind-alzheimers-disease） While Alzheimer's has always been with us, attempts to understand and identify the disease and its impact didn't come about until very recently in human history.

The difference between Alzheimer's disease and other dementias（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease/difference-between-alzheimers-disease-other-dementias） Alzheimer's disease and dementia do not mean the same thing. Understand the difference on this page.

How Alzheimer's disease changes the brain（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease/how-alzheimers-disease-changes-brain） Alzheimer's disease can change the brain in many different ways, On this page, read about some of the changes you may expect as the disease progresses.

The stages of Alzheimer's disease（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease/stages-alzheimers-disease） Alzheimer's disease is usually described in terms of stages, indicating the severity of the symptoms. Learn about the stages on this page, from early stage to end of life.

Genetic testing and Alzheimer's disease（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease/genetic-testing-alzheimers-disease） Genetic testing can sometimes help identify whether a person has a high or low chance of developing Alzheimer's disease. On this page, find out more about genetic testing for Alzheimer's and whether it applies to you.

Other types of dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia） Other types of dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia） While Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, there are other types as well. Learn about them here.

Vascular dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/vascular-dementia） The most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia occurs when the brain’s blood supply is blocked or damaged, causing brain cells to be deprived of oxygen and die.

Lewy body dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/lewy-body-dementia） Dementia with Lewy bodies – caused by abnormal 'Lewy bodies' deposits of protein called alpha-synuclein inside of the brain's nerve cells – shares many similarities with Parkinson’s disease.

Frontotemporal dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/frontotemporal-dementia） Frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term for a group of rare disorders that primarily affect the areas of the brain associated with personality and behaviour.

Mixed dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/mixed-dementia） It's possible for someone to have more than one type of dementia. When this happens, it's known as mixed dementia.

LATE-NC（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/late-nc） Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (or LATE-NC) is the most recently identified form of dementia, noted for its close similarity to Alzheimer’s.

Rare types of dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/rare-types-dementia） There are many conditions that, in rare cases, can lead to dementia. Learn about them in this section.

Conditions related to dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/conditions-related-dementia） Learn about conditions similar to dementia in this section.

Do I have dementia?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia） Do I have dementia?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia） If you're unsure whether you have dementia, this section will help you. Get answers to common questions. Learn about dementia symptoms and possible signs, as well as how dementia differs from normal aging. Know when it may be time to seek a diagnosis.

The 10 warning signs of dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia/10-warning-signs-dementia） Whether you’re concerned for yourself or someone you care about, it's important to know the warning signs of dementia so you can ensure an early diagnosis. Here are 10 of the most common warning signs for dementia.

The differences between normal aging and dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia/differences-between-normal-aging-dementia） If you are experiencing difficulties with memory, know that they may not be signs of dementia. It could be memory loss as a part of normal aging.

How to get tested for dementia: Tips for individuals, families and friends（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia/how-get-tested-dementia-tips-individuals-families-friends） If you or someone you know is concerned about having dementia, it’s important that you can identify the warning signs, know when to talk to your doctor and understand how dementia is diagnosed. Follow these steps.

How can I reduce the risk of dementia?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia） How can I reduce the risk of dementia?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia） There is no sure way to prevent dementia. Some risk factors cannot be controlled. But research suggests that you can manage other risk factors.

Brain-healthy tips to reduce your risk of dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia/brain-healthy-tips-reduce-your-risk-dementia） This page lists evidence-based tips and strategies to help you lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle that protects your brain and reduces your risk of dementia.

Diabetes and dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia/diabetes-dementia） What's the connection between diabetes and dementia? Learn more about this particular risk factor for dementia.

Risk factors for dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia/risk-factors-dementia） When it comes to dementia, there are risk factors you can change, and risk factors you cannot. Learn about both types on this page, as well as unproven risks that need more evidence to be considered valid.

10 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia/10-ways-reduce-your-risk-dementia） While some dementia risk factors, like genetics, may not be changeable, you can take action to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, with these tips!

12 actions for a healthier brain at any age（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-prevent-dementia/12-brain-health-actions-landmark-study） Staying socially active, being physically active and having a sense of purpose — all of these and more can help improve brain health in any phase of life.

Dementia treatment options & developments（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/dementia-treatment-options-developments） Dementia treatment options & developments（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/dementia-treatment-options-developments） For most forms and cases of dementia, there are currently no treatments that can reverse cognitive decline. However, there are approaches you can take that can help you manage symptoms and maintain your quality of life for as long as possible.

Medications approved for Alzheimer's disease in Canada（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/dementia-treatment-options-developments/medications-for-alzheimers） There are no treatments today that can cure Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are four medications approved by Health Canada that can help with symptom management.

Health Canada Approves Lecanemab（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/dementia-treatment-options-developments/health-canada-approves-lecanemab） The Alzheimer Society of Canada responds to Health Canada's decision to approve Alzheimer's disease medication lecanemab.

Health Canada Approves Donanemab（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/dementia-treatment-options-developments/health-canada-approves-donanemab） The Alzheimer Society of Canada responds to Health Canada's decision to approve Alzheimer's disease medication Donanemab.

Alternative treatments for dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/dementia-treatment-options-developments/alternative-treatments-dementia） There are other ways to treat dementia that don't involve taking medications. However, it's important to know which alternative treatments have the evidence that proves that they are effective.

What is the process for approving dementia drugs in Canada?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-treat-dementia/dementia-drug-regulatory-process） Learn about the rigorous process to get a potential treatment for dementia approved.

Cannabis and the treatment of dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/dementia-treatment-options-developments/cannabis-treatment-dementia） While there is ongoing promising research on the effects of cannabis, there is currently no evidence that cannabis is useful for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

The risk of using antipsychotic medications to treat dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-treat-dementia/risk-using-antipsychotic-medications-treat-dementia） The Alzheimer Society recommends that antipsychotics only be used as a last resort to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, especially in older adults. Instead, person-centred care is recommended as a first measure.

Stigma against dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia） Stigma against dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia） Stigma is one of the biggest barriers for people living with dementia to live fully with dignity and respect. Help us fight stigma by learning more about its effects and taking steps to reduce its impact.

What does stigma against dementia look like?（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/what-does-stigma-against-dementia-look） Stigma not only hurts people living with dementia, it discourages their families from confiding in others or getting the support they need. On this page, learn how to recognize stigma against dementia.

Myths and realities of dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/myths-realities-dementia） Myths and misconceptions about Alzheimer's disease and dementia abound – what it is, who gets it, and how it affects the people who have it. These myths stand in the way of understanding the disease and helping those affected.

10 easy ways to fight stigma against dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/10-easy-ways-fight-stigma-against-dementia） Fighting stigma is easier than you think. Learn how you can make a positive impact on the lives of people living with dementia.

Alzheimer's Awareness Month（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/alzheimers-awareness-month） January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month in Canada. Learn what that means and how you can get involved.

Dementia information for Indigenous Peoples（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/indigenous-peoples-and-dementia） About dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia） In this section, learn more about dementia, including its most common type (Alzheimer's disease), other types of dementia and evidence-based recommendations on risk reduction and treatment.

Help and Information（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information）

Find your area’s Alzheimer Society（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/find-your-areas-alzheimer-society） Programs and services（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/programs-services） Programs and services（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/programs-services） The Alzheimer Society can help you face dementia. Use this page as your guide to find support programs, dementia education and resources, referral services and more.

First Link ®（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/programs-services/first-link） If you're affected by dementia, know you are not alone. The Alzheimer Society is your First Link to a community of support, expertise and more.

Find support（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/programs-services/find-support） With programs and services available across Canada, the Alzheimer Society supports people with dementia, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Dementia resources（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/dementia-resources） Dementia resources（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/dementia-resources） Looking for more information on dementia? Get brochures, videos, our recommendations for assistive products and more.

National resource library（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/dementia-resources/national-resource-library） Browse our resource library to learn more about dementia. We cover a wide range of topics and audiences.

Dementia information in Chinese, Punjabi and more languages（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/dementia-resources/more-languages） Mandarin, Cantonese and Punjabi are some of the most-spoken languages in Canada. Find essential facts about dementia in multiple languages here.

Shopping for assistive products（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/dementia-resources/shopping-assistive-products） Assistive devices can help individuals perform a task that they might otherwise be unable to do, or simply make the task easier and safer to perform.

Video resources（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/dementia-resources/video-resources） These videos can help you understand more about dementia, know what to expect and how to provide dementia care.

Dementia Talks! Canada（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/dementia-resources/dementia-talks-canada） A new digital discussion series that centers the conversation on dementia, with researchers and people with lived experience sharing their stories, tips and insights.

Top tips for finding reliable dementia health information（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/dementia-resources/top-tips-finding-reliable-dementia-health-information） Is the dementia information you’re reading trustworthy? These 5 tips will help you decide.

I'm living with dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-living-dementia） I'm living with dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-living-dementia） Our mission is to support you. The Alzheimer Society can provide you with the information and resources to help you manage your diagnosis, assert your rights, live well with dementia, plan for your future and more.

First steps after diagnosis（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-living-dementia/first-steps-after-diagnosis） You've likely been worried and anxious about the changes you're seeing in yourself. Now that you've been diagnosed, know that there are education and resources to support you. Learn the first steps to living well with dementia.

Talking about your diagnosis（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-living-dementia/talking-about-your-diagnosis） If you've just been diagnosed with dementia, you may need some time before sharing the news – or you may want to talk about it right away. However your approach, this page can help you with strategies for communication.

Managing the changes in your abilities（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-living-dementia/managing-changes-your-abilities） Dementia impacts your cognitive, emotional, physical and social abilities. Understand how these changes can affect you, and know how you can prepare and adjust accordingly to live well with dementia.

Living well with dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-living-dementia/living-well-dementia） A diagnosis of dementia does not mean your life is over. This section provides you with strategies to live well with dementia, along with tips and advice from other people who are living with dementia.

Planning for your future（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-living-dementia/planning-your-future） As your dementia progresses, it can become difficult to make choices about your care, finances and other important decisions. However, there are a number of things you can do now to ensure your wishes are communicated, heard and respected.

Your rights as a person living with dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/get-involved/change-minds/canadian-charter-rights-people-dementia） As a person living with dementia, the Charter can help you assert your rights to live free of stigma, benefit from all of Canada's civic and legal rights, participate in policies that affect you and more.

I'm caring for a person living with dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-caring-person-living-dementia） I'm caring for a person living with dementia（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-caring-person-living-dementia） Understanding dementia and its progression is important to ensure that both you and the person living with dementia can live as well as possible. We have the resources to support you and the person you care for.

Young caregivers（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/im-caring-person-living-dementia/young-caregivers） Kids, teens and young adults do help care for people living with dementia. Here are tips and advice for these young caregivers in Canada.

What to expect as the person's dementia progresses（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-information/im-caring-person-living-dementia/what-expect-persons-dementia-progresses） Caring for someone with dementia can be a great reward but it can be challenging at times. Prepare yourself by knowing what to expect.

Understanding symptoms（https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/im-caring-person-living-dementia/understanding-symptoms） Dementia can affect the personality and behaviour of the person living with the disease.