ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE - PHYSICIAN-PATIENT COMMUNICATION

The number of cognitively impaired elderly in Canada has increased gre atly during the past two decades; nearly all have Alzheimer's disease (AD). The memory problems and changes in language and communication of these patients place tremendous strain on physicians who are searchin g for a differential diagnosis and are trying to communicate with them . Reviewing the salient language and communication features of AD pati ents leads to strategies for improving effective physician-patient com munication.