A lot of times they are told but do not retain that they have been told. I realize it is a bit different but my grandpa has Alzheimer's. In the beginning we tried telling him what was wrong. When he'd have a bad episode we'd try to "ground" him and keep him present by telling him what was happening and why. All it did was agitate him and then we'd have to stop him from hurting himself.

When he's lucid he knows something is wrong with his mind and he and I have talked about it. He'll remember for about an hour then it's just gone again until the next lucid moment.

When I volunteered at the nursing home I saw many patients with dementia. Most would get aggressive and combative when told what they were suffering from. Some would get suicidal and break down. Then 30 minutes later they didn't remember and the loop repeated endlessly.

I haven't volunteered at the nursing home in 20 years. It could be that modern thinking is: Why repeatedly upset someone with information they won't retain anyway?

I'm very sorry about your friend. It's a horrible thing watching the decline and not being able to help. I don't know about you but by nature I'm a fixer and I HATE any disease like this.