• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Wellness

Can Someone With Alzheimer's Disease Be Talked Into Thinking Or Behaving Better?

ByConstantine Lyketsos, M.D., Director, Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
November 19, 2008, 5:19 PM

May 4, 2009 -- Question: Can someone with Alzheimer's disease be talked into thinking or behaving better?

Answer: Well you might want to remember that someone with Alzheimer's disease can't remember or is having trouble with their behavior because they have brain damage from the disease. As a result, they find it quite difficult to change. So, talking to them or trying to get them to think out of this behavior usually doesn't work.

Besides, if you really wanted to even try and communicate this to them, you'd run into the fact that they forget what you're asking them to do, or that they're having trouble understanding what you're saying to them because they have trouble with understanding spoken language.

Up Next in Wellness—

Former Green Bay Packers star reveals early-onset Parkinson's disease diagnosis

July 30, 2026

Women say they got pregnant after taking GLP-1 drugs

July 30, 2026

The science behind social media's 'Early Bird Dinner': How early dining may impact sleep and weight

July 28, 2026

Lindsay Clancy trial: What to know about the testimony, postpartum psychosis and more

July 30, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts— 

© 2026 ABC News