who we are
The SPREAD+ (Sustainable and PersonalisEd Advances in Dementia care) consortium SPREAD+ is a Dutch consortium funded by Alzheimer Nederland and Health Holland. The consortium started in October 2022 and is led by Prof. Dr. Marjolein de Vugt (Maastricht University). Prof. Dr. Debby Gerritsen (Radboud UMC), Dr. Dika Luijendijk (UMC Groningen) and Prof Dr. Simone de Bruin (Windesheim University of Applied Sciences). In addition, Tilburg University, Trimbos Institute, the Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Pharos Expertise Center, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, InHolland University of Applied Sciences and the Erasmus Alzheimer Center are part of the core consortium.
With funding from Health~Holland, additional practice-based organizations and industry partners join the consortium. Together with people living with dementia, their informal caregivers, and care professionals, they co-develop and test innovative solutions for practice. Together, these partners form the extended consortium.
Our mission
SPREAD+ aims to improve the quality of life of people with dementia, their informal carers, and care professionals. SPREAD+ uses a needs-driven approach in which both existing and new psychosocial and technological innovations are deployed in a timely, effective and sustainable manner across all phases of the dementia process.
We aim to improve the quality of life of people with dementia, their families, and the professionals who support them. Together with people with dementia and their carers, we explore which psychosocial interventions work best, for whom, at what stage, and in which context. We also help train healthcare professionals to offer care that truly meets people’s needs and support the next generation of researchers - strengthening the field of psychosocial dementia research and its impact in daily life.
News
core consortium
The Core Consortium brings together leading academic, clinical, and applied research partners united by a shared commitment to advancing dementia care.
Each core partner contributes unique expertise, from psychosocial intervention development to implementation science and technology innovation,enabling us to address the complex needs of people with dementia, informal caregivers, and care professionals in an integrated and sustainable way.
Management
m dot devugt at maastrichtuniversity dot nl
debby dot gerritsen at radboudumc dot nl
h dot j dot luijendijk at umcg dot nl
sr dot de dot bruin at windesheim dot nl
f dot dassen at maastrichtuniversity dot nl
p dot heins at maastrichtuniversity dot nl
work packages
Workpackage 1
Management & Infrastructure
Short description
Data harmonization, co-creation, and needs assessment will all contribute to determining which intervention is suitable for whom, at what time, and in what context. The experiences and needs of people with dementia and their loved ones are central to the development, evaluation, and implementation of innovations in SPREAD+. WP1 also includes the Expert & Advisory Committee, chaired by Prof. Dr. Hilde Verbeek from Maastricht University, with representation from dementia care, psychosocial research, business, implementation, methodology, and technology.
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Workpackage lead
Marjolein de Vugt
Task-lead data management and data harmonization
Sietske Sikkes
Task-lead co-creation
Sascha Bolt
organisations
involved
- Channah Osinga
- Evelien Lemstra
- Fania Dassen
- Hilde Verbeek
- Inass Kazouti
- Jacoba Huizenga
- Maureen van Dam
- Pascale Heins
- Sara Bartels
Workpackage 2
Psychological well-being
Workpackage 3
Lifestyle & Environment
Workpackage 4
Health & Safety
Workpackage 5
Technology
Workpackage 6
Inclusive research
Workpackage 7
Learning and implementation
extended consortium
Within SPREAD+, additional funding from Health~Holland is available through the Public-Private Partnership (PPS) funding scheme to stimulate collaboration between research organisations and companies. These partnerships drive innovation in psychosocial and technological solutions to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their families. So far, three PPS-funded projects have been launched, with a fourth project starting soon. By fostering these collaborations, SPREAD+ helps bridge research and practice, accelerates innovation, and contributes to accessible, high-quality dementia care. Read more about the projects below.
AIM
What is the project about?
The AIM project supports informal caregivers of people with dementia, who often carry heavy and demanding care responsibilities. As the population ages, this pressure continues to grow. Many caregivers experience stress, overload, and doubts about whether they are doing things right, while professional support is not always available due to staff shortages and long waiting times.
AIM aims to provide caregivers with the right support, at the right moment, in a way that fits their needs. The project builds on the evidence-based eHealth programme Partner in Balans (PiB), which helps caregivers cope with their situation through information, videos, practical tips, and personal goal setting, guided by a personal coach.
Within AIM, we explore whether AI can play a supportive role in periods when a coach is unavailable, for example by bridging waiting times. The AI may offer personalised tips, stimulate reflection, and help caregivers formulate concrete goals. In this way, AIM aims to make support more accessible, scalable, and responsive to caregivers’ needs, while keeping human care at the centre.
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Project lead AIM
Marjolein de Vugt
Project manager AIM
Pascale Heins
DREAm
MINDD
SARA+
Project funding
All research is conducted within the SPREAD+ consortium as part of the ZonMW Dementia Research Program, funded by NWO, Alzheimer Nederland, and Health Holland under grant agreement (WE.32-2022-01).
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our partners
