The number of people with dementia in the Netherlands who live longer and without (in)formal care is growing rapidly. In addition, the staff shortage in healthcare is growing. The DEMTECH program focuses on technologies that promote self-management, making these people less dependent on external care.
Innovative technologies for home living people with dementia
The UMCG, Alzheimer Nederland, Vilans, Hanzehogeschool Groningen, Eindhoven University of Technology and Sara B.V. join forces in this newly established program group focusing on increasing self-management of people with dementia through innovative technologies.
With the expected increase of more than 500,000 people with dementia by 2040, which is increasingly
living at home and independently, the need for technological solutions for autonomy is growing regarding
mobility, safety, lifestyle and communication. The government states that by 2030 there will be 290,000
suitable homes for the elderly needed and that technology is essential for improving care processes and to reduce the workload in healthcare.
DEMTECH responds to these challenges by facilitating the development of “warm”, user-friendly, non-stigmatizing technologies (image care, chatbots, home automation, robotics, and sensor technology supported by artificial intelligence (AI)). These innovations will respond to both the physical and emotional needs of people with dementia, including those without family or network support. Simultaneously the program addresses significant challenges that business experiences in development of these technologies, like connecting to the needs of people in the early stages of dementia, the need for safe and controlled environments for testing technologies with real users, interoperability and scalability.
The project selection procedure includes an open call for pre-registrations of consortia existing of minimally one knowledge institute and one company (SME or larger). The call will open in Spring 2025. Healthcare institutions and municipalities are also welcome as requesting consortium partners. An independent jury will select a subset of these registrations for two subsequent co-creation sessions, eventually resulting in 4-8 PPS projects. A comparable, second round, if required, will be held for the deadline of May 1st 2026.