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), Prof. 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 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.
The Alzheimer Europe Congress 2025 in Bologna is coming up!
From October 6th to 8th, our PhD students from SPREAD+ will be presenting their research. Below is an overview of their contributions:
Maren
Presentation: Navigation technology in dementia care: How is its use perceived by stakeholders? A focus group and interview study
Where & when: October 6, Parallel session 07 Assistive technologies (15:30–16:45)
Femke
Presentation: Perspectives of nursing home residents, relatives, and care staff on what matters for high-quality relationships in the dementia care triad: A group concept mapping study
Where & when: October 7, Parallel session 36 Residential care II (2:00 PM–3:15 PM)
Poster: Fostering relationship quality in the dementia care triad: a rapid review of psychosocial interventions in residential care settings
Stella
Presentation (with Gili Yaron): Involving experts by experience in research about quality of life: insights from the SPREAD+ consortium
Where & when: October 7, DEMPACT sponsored session SS02-02, 12:00–13:00.
Poster: Factors associated with crisis admissions in community-dwelling people with dementia
Isabeau
Poster: Needs and preferences of informal caregivers for people with dementia of Indonesian or Moluccan background in the Netherlands: Semi-Structured Interview Study
Glenn
Poster: Addressing lifestyle and environment to improve quality of life in the dementia care triad: a scoping review
Robert
Poster: Delirium in home-dwelling older people during regular GP consultations; text analysis of routinely collected healthcare data
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
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.
contact
Workpackage lead
Marjolein de Vugt
Task-lead data management and data harmonization
Sietske Sikkes
Task-lead co-creation
Sascha Bolt
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.
DREAm
>What is the project about?
Sleep disturbances are common among people living with dementia and often affect their quality of life while placing an additional burden on family caregivers. The DREAm project aims to address these challenges by combining digital technologies with non-pharmacological strategies to better understand and support sleep in people with dementia living at home. By monitoring sleep patterns and the home environment using sensor technologies, the project aims to identify individual needs and provide tailored guidance, such as structuring daily activities and optimising nighttime routines, to enhance sleep quality, reduce caregiver burden, and improve overall well-being for both individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
get in touch
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).
our partners
