Neurocognitive disorders represent one of the biggest challenges associated with the aging of the population, and to date there are no substantially useful treatments for people suffering from this type of disease.

Portugal occupies 4th place (Health at a Glance; OECD, 2019) in the ranking of OECD countries, with more cases of dementia per thousand inhabitants. The OECD average is 15.3 cases per thousand inhabitants, and for Portugal the estimate is 20.8.

Age, poverty, low education, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, as well as low literacy about mental illnesses appear to be predictive variables for the development of this type of disorder. In this sense, health literacy and, particularly, dementia literacy can play a fundamental role, both in early identification and integrated diagnosis, and in treatment/intervention. Thus, increasing knowledge about neurodegenerative diseases, reducing stigma and changing attitudes will help in the recognition, management and prevention of dementia.

The purpose of this project is to train society in general, and professionals in particular, on neurodegenerative processes and on the most effective instrumental and affective social care strategies in mental health processes.

This project consists of two subprojects, one of an investigative nature (subproject 1) and one of an intervention nature (subproject 2).

Subproject 1 aims to: analyze the attitudes and knowledge of professionals and citizens regarding dementia processes in a representative sample of the Portuguese population; identify the variables that predict literacy in dementia; assess the degree of compassion and self-care fatigue of formal caregivers; identify the unmet needs of professionals who work with elderly people with neurocognitive disorders; and map the care pathway within the scope of supporting the family and the person with dementia.

Subproject 2 aims to: raise awareness of dementia and mental health in the community; combat society's stigma regarding dementia.

These objectives are broken down into four research questions: (i) What are the attitudes and knowledge of professionals and society in general regarding neurodegenerative processes? (ii) What is the degree of compassion and self-care fatigue of formal caregivers, carrying out their professional activity in different intervention contexts (primary health care, Residential structure for elderly people, Home support services)? (iii) What are the unmet needs of professionals who provide care to elderly people with neurocognitive disorders? (iv) What are the care pathways in support of families and elderly people in the North of the country?

Health and social professionals, direct action/home assistants, higher education students and senior university students will participate in the study. The study will use different techniques and methods, namely using a battery of tests, focus groups and individual interviews.