Work Package 7

Dementia and stroke prevention pilots

European pilot actions implementing coordinated and transferable approaches to prevention.

9Pilot actions
7Countries
WP7Prevention

From evidence to action

Local implementation, shared European learning

Discover how JADE Health partners are adapting best practices to different health systems, communities and prevention settings.

Pilot group 3

Towards a harmonized and synergistic prevention of dementia and stroke

Pilot intervention area

To provide easy-to-use evidence-based information and educational materials for professionals working in the field of dementia and stroke prevention, including both primary and secondary prevention.

EU best practices

SmartAging Mindbrain

SmartAging Mindbrain is an Italian research and innovation initiative focused on preventing and identifying age-related cognitive decline. The pilot actions draw on its combination of brain-health prevention, neuroscience and innovative approaches to support healthy ageing and the early identification of dementia.

Pro-Health 65+

The pilot actions build on the Pro-Health 65+ prevention approach, focusing on identifying modifiable risk factors for dementia, strengthening health literacy and promoting preventive education through scalable tools.

Target group and estimated participants

Primary target: Professionals in the field of dementia and stroke, especially in prevention and care. Secondary targets: Healthy individuals, patients and caregivers. Approximately 4,000 participants are involved in pilot activities, including 200 health professionals participating in training using a ready-to-use evidence-based toolkit.

Description

The pilot group focuses on the implementation of validated best practices for dementia and stroke prevention through the development and dissemination of evidence-based educational materials and a practical toolkit. Interdisciplinary teams composed of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, neurologists, physiotherapists and public health experts, operate across primary care and community settings. Activities include identifying proven interventions, adapting materials to local socio-cultural contexts, training professionals and deploying tools within prevention and care networks. The pilot actions target both professionals and populations at risk, aiming to improve knowledge, risk assessment and preventive behaviours. The main challenge addressed is the fragmentation of prevention strategies and the limited availability of accessible, standardised resources on brain health.

Objectives

Primary objective

To implement and evaluate a standardised, evidence-based educational toolkit for improving dementia and stroke prevention across healthcare and community settings.

Secondary objectives

1. Identify and adapt validated best practices on brain health to national and local contexts.
2. Strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals through targeted training activities on prevention.
3. Increase awareness and promote preventive behaviours among at-risk populations and caregivers.

Evaluation

Expected outcomes

Improved knowledge and skills among healthcare professionals on brain health, leading to more effective risk assessment and prevention practices. Increased awareness and adoption of healthy behaviours among at-risk populations and caregivers. Strengthened integration of standardised, evidence-based tools within prevention and care networks, reducing fragmentation and enhancing early intervention.

Results

Not available yet.

Lessons learnt

Not available yet.

Sustainability and health literacy

Sustainability / Transferability

The development of a final integrated toolkit, combining diverse experiences across countries, settings and target populations, will support long-term adoption and facilitate transferability to other regions. Internal evaluation will assess effectiveness and guide improvements. The toolkit could be further refined in line with emerging evidence and implementation experience, supporting its relevance and potential adaptation across contexts.

Health literacy

The pilot group improves health literacy by providing accessible, evidence-based information and practical tools to professionals, patients and caregivers. It strengthens understanding of brain health, dementia and stroke risk factors, supports informed decision-making and promotes preventive behaviours through tailored educational materials and training activities.

Pilot actions

Pilot 015
FI

Pilot study of FINGER online training for professionals and older adults

Lead entity: TERVEYDEN JA HYVINVOINNIN LAITOS

The main objective of the pilot is to enhance awareness and understanding of multidomain dementia prevention strategies among both healthcare professionals and older adults at risk of developing dementia and/or stroke. A pilot intervention targeting healthcare professionals includes a web-based training package developed in collaboration with the Age Institute. Training is based on the FINGER model, including guidance on physical activity, nutrition, cognitive activity, and vascular risk management. Healthcare professionals will complete the online training and provide structured feedback on its content and acceptability. A pilot intervention targeting older adults includes the web-based educational program “FINGER ABC” to promote brain health and reduce dementia risk among older adults through accessible, evidence-based lifestyle education. Professionals in stakeholder organisations will distribute the FINGER ABC training link and feedback survey.

Pilot 016
NO

Forebyggende pilot i norske kommuner (english version: Prevention of risk factors for dementia and stroke- a pilot in Norwegian municipalities )

Lead entity: HELSEDIREKTORATET

The purpose is to conduct a pilot project in six to eight Norwegian municipalities to test a service model for individuals who wish to assess their own risk for dementia and/or stroke, as well as receive advice on maintaining good brain health. The service will include follow-up support with access to the self-training program called “Hjerneløftet”, as well as recommendations for preventive measures and information about health-promoting services available in the municipality. Hjerneløftet is a Norwegian, research‑based program that helps people strengthen their brain health through simple, everyday lifestyle changes. It provides short lessons with practical tips on physical activity, nutrition, sleep, social engagement, and mental stimulation. It is designed as an accessible, low‑threshold resource for anyone who wants to take proactive steps to care for their brain.Follow-up and individualized recommendations for lifestyle changes will primarily be provided by the municipal healthcare services, such as Healthy Life Centers. The target group consists of healthy individuals aged 55 or older who wish to undergo a risk assessment for dementia and stroke, and who reside in one of the municipalities included in the project. The pilot focuses on individual-centered preventive measures.

Pilot 017
IT

Development, Dissemination and Pilot Implementation of a Toolkit for Dementia and Stroke Prevention within the Joint Action Addressing Dementia and Health (JADEHealth)

Lead entity: RETE DELLE NEUROSCIENZE E DELLA NEURORIABILITAZIONE

Non-pharmacological multicentre pilot aiming to strengthen dementia and stroke prevention. An evidence-based toolkit with brochures, infographics and training materials will be co-developed and disseminated through specialist centres. Participants with SCD, MCI, TIA or minor stroke and their caregivers will be assessed for modifiable risk factors, receive tailored educational materials and be re-evaluated after about six months. Impact will be measured through risk-factor changes, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, usefulness and usability scales, complemented by qualitative focus groups.

Pilot 018
BG

Primary and secondary prevention in dementia and stroke care settings. Informational and educational approach.

Lead entity: BYLGARSKO DRUZHESTVO PO DEMENZII

Evidence highlights the role of modifiable risk factors (according to Lancet 2024) such as hypertension, diabetes, usage of tobacco products, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, depression, alcohol consummation, sleep impairment and social inactivity in dementia prevention. Early identification and risk reduction strategies have the potential to delay cognitive decline and improve brain health outcomes. Pilot 18 will cover two target groups in pursuit of prevention improvement. As a primary demographic, adults aged 50 years or older at risk of dementia (three or more risk factors present) will be screened and assessed through a combination of tests - self-reported risk screening test designed by the BSD team, Isaacs Set Test (IST), and TYM. As a secondary demographic, healthcare specialists (GPs and nurses, neuropsychologists, neurologists) will be provided with educational materials (leaflets and presentations as main format, possible others too) to increase their knowledge regarding prevention.

Pilot 019
HU

Primary and Secondary Prevention of Dementia and Stroke in Hungary

Lead entity: ESZAK-BUDAI SZENT JANOS CENTRUMKORHAZ

The JADEHealth WP7.3 pilot aims to strengthen dementia and stroke prevention through two complementary interventions targeting healthcare professionals and community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. The pilot addresses the growing burden of dementia and the limited awareness of modifiable risk factors, despite evidence showing that a substantial proportion of dementia cases can be prevented through lifestyle and cardiovascular risk reduction measures. Healthcare professionals in primary and secondary care will receive evidence-based educational materials and training, followed by knowledge assessment and focus group discussions to explore implementation opportunities. Community activities will be delivered through general practitioner practices and regional community settings, including municipalities and social care services, where participants will receive prevention-related information, awareness-raising materials, and screening opportunities. The pilot will evaluate reach, knowledge improvement, and feasibility to support the future integration of dementia prevention into routine healthcare and community services.

Pilot 020
MT

Pilot Action - Primary / Secondary Prevention of Dementia and Stroke in Malta: Cohorts Older People attending Day Centres and Caregivers of People with Dementia

Lead entity: MINISTRY FOR ACTIVE AGEING

At the present moment, we have had meetings with the Ministry of Health Permament Secretary and the Director of Health Information and Research to discuss research methodology and agree about the protocol for recruiting participants. It was decided to target two cohorts namely caregivers of people with dementia and older people already attending active ageing centres. We have been reviewing WP7 educational and information material to be used in the pilot, and have chosen to follow the leaflet developed for this purpose and prepare powerpoint presentations based on the this material. Ethics approval has been obtained but this will need to be updated following modification of target population and inclusion of evaluation. We plan to finalise a programme of activities to be organised at the different day centres, for person already attending and other specific sessions for the caregivers of people with dementia. The persons will be invited to participate in a check up for symptoms and a review of risk factors (Lancet 2024) and brief cognitive test miniCOG. After the assessment, the participants will be given a questionnaire on acceptance and usability to evaluate and provide feedback on the usefulness of the information and advice provided. No follow up review will be possible and the sessions will be a one time only. Any person identified to have uncontrolled risk factors will be advised to make appointments at the respective health care facility or if found to have cognitive impairment be referred to brain health clinics.

Pilot 021
Poland, Mazovia Voivodeship

Prevention activities against development of dementia at the primary health care level

Lead entity: WARSZAWSKI UNIWERSYTET MEDYCZNY

Patients will be screened using appropriate questionnaires. If a diagnosis is made, the patient will receive information on how to prevent the progression of the disease, with a strong emphasis on lifestyle changes. If it is determined that the patient is at risk of developing a disease leading to dementia, he or she will receive training to prevent the development of this risk. These activities will be undertaken using electronic and paper tools. At specific time points, patients will be assessed using online tools regarding the implementation of actions to prevent the development or progression of risk factors leading to dementia.
Pilot 022, 023
ES

Pilot project for identification of modifiable dementia risk factors in adults aged 50+ in Primary Care settings in Asturias and Extremadura

Lead entities: FUNDACION PARA LA FORMACION E INVESTIGACION DE LOS PROFESIONALES DE LA SALUD DE EXTREMADURA , SERVICIO DE SALUD DEL PRINCIPADO DE ASTURIAS

This pilot aims to identify modifiable dementia risk factors in adults aged 50 years and older in Primary Care settings in Asturias and Extremadura (Spain). Participants without previous cognitive impairment diagnosis will be recruited through collaborating physicians and nurses. The intervention combines dementia risk assessment using the CAIDE questionnaire, cognitive screening with the BOCA tool, and additional measures related to diabetes control and sleep. Participants will receive educational materials focused on brain health and dementia prevention. Primary Care professionals will also receive specific educational resources and training materials. The pilot evaluates feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, perceived usefulness and sustainability of the intervention using standardized implementation questionnaires (AIM, FIM, IAM, TAM/PU-4). The pilot is designed as a scalable and community-based prevention model integrated into routine Primary Care practice.

Pilot group 6

Vulnerable groups and stigma awareness raising

Pilot intervention area

Vulnerable groups and stigma awareness raising

Identification

Contact person: Nuria Moreno García; Elisabeth García Alonso

Lead entity: JUNTAEX - Spain

Participating countries and entities:
SESPA-FICYT (Spain), JUNTAEX (Spain), NIJZ (Slovenia), MUW (Poland), BSD (Bulgaria), AACC (Malta).

EU best practices

Care Planning in Integrated Care Organisation

The pilot actions reflect this Best Practice by promoting coordinated, multidisciplinary and person-centred approaches to dementia awareness and support. Through educational and community-based activities, they foster communication, inclusion, shared understanding and engagement across health, social and educational sectors.

Target group and estimated participants

Patients, caregivers, families, professionals, the general population and vulnerable groups. Target audiences include older adults, people with dementia or at risk of dementia, caregivers, healthcare professionals and nursing students, school children and parents, people with mental health conditions, ethnic vulnerable groups, care home staff, general practitioners and policy makers. Estimated participation across the pilot actions is approximately 3,000 people in awareness, training and dissemination activities.

Description

The pilot actions are implemented across several European countries within a joint work package focused on dementia awareness and stigma reduction. Multidisciplinary teams involving healthcare, social care, public health and education stakeholders participate in their implementation. The interventions combine awareness-raising, training and community-based activities targeting people living with dementia, caregivers, students, professionals, policy makers and the general public. Activities include workshops, educational sessions, audiovisual materials, presentations, e-learning tools and community events. All pilot actions address the shared challenge of improving understanding of dementia, reducing stigma and promoting more inclusive, person-centred and supportive communities across different social and care contexts.

Objectives

Primary objective

To improve dementia awareness and reduce stigma through educational, community-based and multidisciplinary interventions targeting different population groups across Europe.

Secondary objectives

1. To increase knowledge and understanding of dementia among healthcare professionals, students, caregivers, policy makers and the general public.
2. To promote inclusive, person-centred and community-based approaches to dementia care and support.
3. To develop and implement educational and awareness tools adapted to different social, healthcare and educational contexts.

Evaluation

Expected outcomes

The pilot actions are expected to improve awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards dementia across different target groups, contributing to stigma reduction and a more inclusive social perception of neurocognitive disorders. They aim to strengthen understanding of how to support people living with dementia and promote more informed, empathetic and supportive community responses.

Results

Final results are not available yet. A post-session evaluation questionnaire has been developed and implemented across all participating countries and adapted to local languages and contexts. It will measure the impact of the sessions on participants’ knowledge, attitudes, empathy and dementia-related stigma. The results will provide comparable cross-country data to assess the effectiveness of the interventions and identify factors influencing changes in perception and understanding.

Lessons learnt

Preliminary lessons highlight the importance of adapting materials and assessment tools to different cultural and linguistic contexts. The development of a common post-session questionnaire across countries has reinforced the need for harmonised yet flexible evaluation approaches that ensure comparability while respecting local specificities.

Sustainability and health literacy

Sustainability / Transferability

The pilot actions are highly transferable because they use reusable and adaptable awareness materials, including audiovisual resources, educational guides and session formats, which will be shared across participating countries. After the project, these materials can be implemented in different cultural and organisational contexts, supporting continuity and replication in schools, community settings and health and social care services.

Health literacy

The pilot actions enhance health literacy by improving understanding of dementia and brain health through accessible, evidence-based and participatory approaches. They increase awareness, reduce stigma and strengthen knowledge about how to support people living with dementia. This fosters more informed attitudes, improved communication and better decision-making across different population groups.

Pilot actions

Pilot 039
Spain, Principality of Asturias

Raising awareness and reducing stigma around dementia and Alzheimer’s disease across society

Lead entities: FUNDACION PARA EL FOMENTO EN ASTURIAS DE LA INVESTIGACION CIENTIFICA Y LA TECNOLOGIA , SERVICIO DE SALUD DEL PRINCIPADO DE ASTURIAS

This pilot aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma around dementia and Alzheimer’s disease across different levels of society in Asturias. It combines educational, informative and participatory activities addressed to the general population, children and adolescents and their families, caregivers and relatives of people with dementia, primary care professionals, medical and nursing students, and political representatives. Through talks, awareness sessions, dissemination materials and dialogue spaces, the pilot seeks to improve understanding of dementia, challenge misconceptions, promote empathy towards people living with dementia and their caregivers, and strengthen the role of society and health professionals in early recognition, support and integrated care.

Pilot 040
Slovenia

Pilot 040 — Information pending

Lead entity: NACIONALNI INSTITUT ZA JAVNO ZDRAVJE

Pilot 041
Poland, Mazovia Voivodeship

Awareness-Education - Implementation

Lead entity: WARSZAWSKI UNIWERSYTET MEDYCZNY

The pilot is based on education, assessment, early identification and an appropriate response to different clinical situations. Its activities include presenting information about dementia from medical and non-medical perspectives; training on early identification and risk factors related to dementia development or progression; training on caring for people living with dementia for relatives, caregivers and healthcare staff; and educational activities for students and children aimed at reducing stigma towards older people at risk of or living with dementia.
Pilot 042
Bulgaria

Raising public awareness about dementia and contributing to destigmatization through educational events and training

Lead entity: BYLGARSKO DRUZHESTVO PO DEMENZII

The Bulgarian pilot involves a multidisciplinary approach aimed at raising awareness and reducing stigma among the general population and stakeholders involved in neurocognitive diseases. Implementation includes events, training, educational material distribution, presentations and in-person or online meetings. Activities focus on providing information about dementia and available support services, training on early identification of dementia symptoms, workshops on caring for people with dementia, and informational materials on active ageing and dementia prevention.
Pilot 043
Malta

Dementia awareness and stigma reduction across Maltese communities

Lead entity: MINISTRY FOR ACTIVE AGEING

The Maltese pilot focuses on improving dementia awareness, reducing stigma and strengthening support across different population groups. It responds to limited public understanding, persistent misconceptions and stigma in community and healthcare settings. Activities include structured awareness events and information sessions supported by educational toolkits developed with European partners, as well as educational and communication materials adapted to different age groups and sectors. Implementation takes place in Active Ageing Centres, mental health day centres, nursing homes, schools and public engagement settings in collaboration with organisations including the Malta Dementia Society. The pilot aims to promote a more informed, inclusive and supportive environment for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Pilot 044
Spain, Extremadura

Awareness about dementia through audiovisual materials

Lead entity: CONSEJERIA DE SALUD Y SERVICIOS SOCIALES - JUNTA DE EXTREMADURA

The pilot consists of a comprehensive dementia awareness intervention combining audiovisual production and in-person sensitisation activities. Its main activities include creating a short documentary film and related digital content aimed at raising awareness about dementia through a non-stigmatising, person-centred and community-based approach. The audiovisual material will be the central resource for structured sensitisation sessions complemented by participatory activities, guided reflection and educational materials. The pilot addresses persistent stigma and limited understanding of dementia and other neurocognitive disorders. It aims to shift perceptions from a purely clinical or dependency-based view towards a model emphasising autonomy, dignity and everyday community support.