Evaluation of dementia-related knowledge: investigating awareness and perceptions in the Greek general population

Background: The number of people living with dementia worldwide is expected to rise to 153 million by 2050. This study aims to explore the perceptions and attitudes of the Greek population toward dementia, as well as the levels of awareness and sensitivity regarding the condition. Methods: Through a questionnaire, key questions were examined using a rating scale, such as knowledge of the different types of dementia, understanding whether dementia is a normal or abnormal part of aging, the existence and effectiveness of treatments, and social and personal reactions toward affected individuals. Results: The results showed a gradual increase in scores correlated with age, with the oldest age group performing the best and women scoring higher compared with men. Conclusions: Overall, the findings indicate that average scores across all age groups remain unfortunately quite low, suggesting limited knowledge about dementia.