SVRZ, a leading care organization in Zeeland, is teaming up with the academia in the QoLEAD project. They offer care and rehab for elderly, including those with dementia. SVRZ is working hard to connect academic ideas with real-world care challenges, hoping to put the latest knowledge into practice faster. Teis Arets, PhD candidate in QoLEAD, did an internship past summer with SVRZ to better understand the daily challenges caregivers face with people with dementia.

Read more about SVRZ’s perspectives on the project and how they experienced having an academic over in their care practice…

Anne Kolmans is one of the PhD’s working in QoLEAD. Teis Arets, a fellow PhD, interviewed her for this newsitem.

In this interview, Anne shares her journey from psychology to robotics and ultimately her PhD research at Radboud UMC about the social connectedness of people with dementia. Special is Anne’s early experience in elderly care, with a mother working in a nursing home: “we helped with bingo, delivering meals, and for example at Christmas celebrations”.

Anne’s research focuses on co-designing AI with people with dementia to improve social relationships. Her advice to fellow researchers: really get to know your target group.

Join Hannah Christie, postdoctoral researcher at Alzheimer Center Limburg, who is taking us with her in the recent Yearly Consortium Meeting on 18-9 in Eindhoven. The day, featuring presentations by Arlene Astell and Rens Brankaert, showcased challenges in technology-based dementia projects and emphasized practical co-design strategies. The meeting highlighted the significance of involving stakeholders and navigating industry collaborations in AI-driven dementia research. The gathering reflects QoLEAD’s ongoing commitment to advancing person-centered dementia care.