This study expands on previous research regarding attitudes of older adults toward disclosure of the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two hundred patients 65 years or older completed a questionnaire assessing opinions about being told the diagnosis of AD versus cancer. Most responded they wanted to be told if they had AD or terminal cancer (92% for AD, 86.5% for cancer, P = .06). Those with personal experience with AD were significantly less likely to want to know themselves if they had AD than were those without personal experience (P < .0001). A variety of reasons were given for wanting to be told the diagnosis of AD, including a small minority (1.7%) who would consider suicide. Although these results appear to support recent American Medical Association guidelines favoring disclosure of a dementia diagnosis, complex issues remain. Further research is needed to develop guidelines for physicians in disclosing dementia diagnoses that includes outcome studies of disclosure to patients.