Objectives:

To analyze aspects related to the knowledge of primary health care professionals regarding dementia in the elderly.

Methodology:

A quantitative, non-experimental cross-sectional research and descriptive-correlational design was conducted with a sample of 32 professionals from a family health center.

Results:

General and specific knowledge about dementia in older people was found to be insufficient (62.4% and 62.5%, respectively), the same situation happened with regard to the self-perception that professionals had of their knowledge (78.1%). A correlation was found between self-perception and knowledge (general C. Rho: 0.484, p = 0.005; specific C. Rho: 0.642, p = 0.001), with a confidence level of 99%). In addition, the study revealed that, the higher the age and years of the profession, the higher the level of knowledge about dementia on the part of professionals (Waldt 6.43 and 5.854, respectively, sig. 0.011 and 0.016), and that the training of health professionals would favour having average knowledge in the same area (Waldt 4.272 sig. 0.039).

Conclusions:

The incorporation of dementia education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and ongoing training for staff of primary health care facilities favours greater and better recognition, care, diagnosis and timely referral of older people in early stages of dementia.

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