Dementia is a progressive syndrome that leads to cognitive and functional decline among older adults, yet it remains widely misunderstood and often perceived as a normal part of aging. In the Philippines, cultural idioms and limited awareness contribute to stigma, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate care. This study explored how older adults in Cebu City perceive dementia, examining how cultural beliefs shape their understanding, and how openness to learning emerges when the condition is explained in clearer, culturally resonant terms.

A multiple qualitative case study design was employed involving five older adults aged 60 and above. In-depth interviews were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis supported by NVivo software. Trustworthiness was ensured through Lincoln and Guba's criteria of credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability.

Three overarching themes with corresponding subthemes were identified: (1) Unraveling the Cognitive Puzzle: fragmented knowledge, experiential learning, and cultural framings that normalize dementia; (2) The Myths of Aging: beliefs that aging equates to inevitable decline, reinforced by cultural idioms, and blurred boundaries between normal aging and disease; and (3) Discovering Hope in Aging: transformation from fatalism to awareness, readiness for education, and empowerment through understanding. Together, these themes trace a trajectory from confusion to fatalism to hope.

Older adults' perceptions of dementia are shaped by cultural narratives yet remain open to transformation through culturally sensitive education.

Nurses can lead community-based dementia education, screening, and caregiver support, reframing cultural beliefs into opportunities for early recognition and proactive engagement toward dementia-friendly communities.