We’re proud to share that another QoLEAD PhD candidate Anne Kolmans will present her research at the 35th Alzheimer Europe Conference, taking place from 6 to 8 October 2025 in Bologna, Italy.
Anne’s study focuses on a crucial but often overlooked aspect of dementia care: public stigma. While stigma can significantly impact the wellbeing and social inclusion of people living with dementia, little is known about how it manifests in the Dutch general population. Anne’s research addresses this gap by examining the prevalence of stigma, exploring public perceptions, and analysing how factors like familiarity with dementia and ageism influence attitudes.
Using a mixed-methods survey with a nationally representative sample of 524 Dutch citizens, Anne and her team measured stigma levels using the DePSS scale and conducted thematic analysis of open-ended responses. The findings reveal a nuanced picture: while many respondents described people with dementia as “ordinary,” common stereotypes such as being “childlike” or “unpredictable” were also reported.
Importantly, the study found that personal or professional familiarity with dementia was associated with lower stigma, while ageist attitudes were linked to higher stigma. These insights offer valuable starting points for public awareness campaigns and policy initiatives aimed at reducing stigma and promoting inclusion.
This presentation builds on Anne’s earlier work, which she shared at the 2024 Alzheimer Europe Conference, where she presented a poster on the translation and validation of the Dutch version of the DePSS stigma scale. Her current study represents the next step: applying the validated tool to better understand stigma in the Dutch context.
At the conference, Anne will present these findings and discuss how they can inform future efforts to support the social wellbeing of people with dementia in the Netherlands and beyond.