Introduction:

The World Health Organization recognizes dementia as a public health priority. In Cuba, this disease occupies an important place among noncommunicable chronic diseases.

Objective:

To highlight the need for a practical guide for nurses who work with primary caregivers of patients with dementia.

Methods:

A brief research is carried out in Marianao Municipality, Havana, in 2018, including 80 main caregivers. The disorders that they present most frequently are related with the affected human needs declared by American theoretical nurse Virginia Henderson. We also investigated about the learning needs of the nursing staff working in the mental health department and it was found that continuous profesional upgrading was necessary, together with the standardization of care towards the family with people with dementia in primary care.

Conclusion:

A practice guide for nurses working in primary care would help improve the quality and lifestyles of the primary caregivers and the family of patients with dementia.

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