My sister, a 79 year old widow with no children, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer last November. She has been in denial ever since. I would like to know how long this phase is going to last and what is the best way for people around her to cope with it . When I stayed with her for a month last December I found it very stressful. I will soon be with her in the summer and would like to know how to help her with this problem.