We don't tell my mom about deaths.We decided that it would serve no purpose.

my moms sister died and when she was told she cried and then we talked about it. Now she doesn't ever mention it.

Even with Alzheimers, I cannot make myself lie to him. He needs the truth, no matter how sad it is. I don't like the idea of telling him anything else. Told the truth in love, I believe he can handle it. And he has.

I just know my husband's Grandmother was in a home and kept saying how we "Just missed" her husband. Finally my husband said "Grandma, Grandpa is dead." and I was shocked. I didn't want to see her fall apart.
But all that happened was she said "No, that's not right. He was just here."
At MIL's stage, she remembers some things like a hawk and completely forgets others. You never know.

My Uncle's Sister passed away in 2013. It was hard for him, but he seemed to understand what happened. He went to the funeral...He paid his respects. 2 weeks later, he did not remember...when he got a call from a relative who asked about Gwen, he said she was doing ok... I said, "Uncle fred, don't you remember? She passed away 3 weeks ago!" He reacted with surprise like that was news to him. I knew he was going further downhill when that happened. But I think it is important that they are told...now...3 years later, he will say she is probably gone...because he doesn't see her anymore...used to visit her 2x a week when she was alive.