Recognition of Dementia Symptoms and Related Work Challenges among Nursing Staff in Long-Term Care Facilities

BACKGROUND: Recognition of dementia symptoms among nursing staff is essential for ensuring timely, person-centered and ethically adequate care. Despite an expanding global focus on dementia, evidence concerning the interaction between staff education, work experience, and their recognition competence in Central and Eastern Europe remains limited. AIM: This study investigates the relationship between nursing staff’s education and professional experience and their ability to recognize dementia symptoms, as well as their perceived work difficulty in providing care for residents with dementia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 104 nursing staff across three long-term care facilities in Slovenia. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire exploring recognition of dementia symptoms and perceived workload. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS: Cognitive symptoms were recognized most accurately, while behavioral and emotional manifestations were less consistently identified. Education and work experience did not significantly predict perceived work difficulty. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of strengthening behavioral symptom recognition through targeted education and institutional support mechanisms, rather than relying solely on staff experience or qualification level.