[Ethics and giving bad news to a patient with Alzheimer's]

Breaking bad news to a patient with Alzheimer's often raises ethical questions: should the person be informed or not when there is a risk he or she will not understand or retain the explanations provided? While on the face of it the truth seems desirable, it is important to carefully analyse what is at stake as this truth can potentially harm a vulnerable patient. The person making the disclosure can find themselves at the centre of a conflict: on the one hand loyalty and a moral duty to inform, on the other a compassionate lie to protect the patient from upsetting news. Being aware of the ethical issues at the heart of this dilemma can help to indicate the best path to take for the benefit of the patient, the family and the nurses.