[Dementia care in Hungary: person-centered practice, family participation, and nurses' workload]

Dementia represents a major global health and social challenge today, with an estimated 55 million people currently affected. The quality of care has a significant impact on the patients' quality of life, while ensuring such care imposes considerable physical and mental burdens on healthcare personnel. In Hungary, person-centered care for people living with dementia is not always provided, and the role of family members in caregiving is often undervalued.

The authors examined the burdens experienced by Hungarian nurses/caregivers in dementia care, the practice of person-centered care, the role of family involvement, and the training needs of nurses.

The study was conducted as a quantitative, cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire survey was carried out among 121 Hungarian nurses and social caregivers who provide care for patients with dementia. Data collection took place between October 22 and November 22, 2024. The aim was to assess knowledge and practical experience related to person-centered care, as well as to explore nurses' physical and mental burdens and the role of family participation in caregiving.

Nurses reported significant physical and psychological strain during healthcare and social institutional care. Although they possessed theoretical knowledge of person-centered care, its application in practice was often limited. The extent of family involvement varied. The majority of participants emphasized the need for training tailored to their qualifications and experience, focusing on the specific aspects of dementia care.

The high burden on Hungarian nurses and the limitations in person-centered care highlight the need for further development in dementia care. Training programs and greater family involvement could improve the quality of care and support the advancement of person-centered nursing, thereby contributing to enhanced quality of life for both patients and their relatives. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(2): 51-57.