Building a Dementia-Inclusive Society in the Netherlands and Supporting Informal Carers along the Way: the contribution of Movisie in transferring and implementing knowledge
How to turn knowledge about dementia into meaningful improvements in the lives of people with dementia and their informal carers?
This question was central to the Dutch Dementia Care Standard Inspiration Week, held from 5–8 October 2026 and organized by Movisie, in collaboration with Vilans and Dementia Network Netherlands. The event brought together professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders to explore how the updated Dementia Care Standard 2026 can make a difference in everyday practice.
The renewed standard reflects an important shift in perspective: dementia is not only a medical condition but also a social challenge. Living with dementia requires more than appropriate healthcare. It also involves maintaining social relationships, participating in community life and receiving support that responds to individual needs and circumstances. Informal carers play an essential role in this.
Connecting knowledge, policy and practice
For Movisie, the Netherlands Institute for Social Issues, these challenges are at the heart of its work. As a national knowledge institute, Movisie brings together research findings, professional expertise and lived experience to develop practical solutions to complex social issues. Movisie contributes by translating knowledge into resources and tools, facilitating learning between professionals and organisations in professional learning programmes and supporting professionals and policymakers in improving local approaches.
The Inspiration Week illustrated this approach. Its programme addressed inclusion, collaboration, social participation and support for family carers. Rather than focusing solely on what good dementia care should look like, the discussions encouraged participants to consider how these principles can be implemented in local communities and professional practice.
Supporting informal carers throughout the dementia journey
The final day focused specifically on informal carers and those close to people living with dementia. Their information and support needs evolve throughout the dementia journey, from the first signs and diagnosis to living with dementia, end-of-life care and bereavement. The live event brought together a diverse group of professionals, including dementia case managers, social workers, informal carer support professionals, nurses, network coordinators and policymakers.
Several interactive workshops explored how support for informal carers can be improved in practice.
One workshop focused on ensuring that information reaches informal carers at the right time, addressing the barriers they encounter when navigating available support services. Another highlighted Beter Thuis met Dementie (Living Better at Home with Dementia), an initiative supporting people with dementia and their families in continuing to live at home. The event provided opportunities to exchange experiences, share practical examples and explore how knowledge can be translated into better local support for people with dementia and their families.
Towards a more dementia-inclusive society
The renewed Dementia Care Standard provides a shared foundation, but its value ultimately depends on how it is used. The Inspiration Week demonstrates the importance of bringing different perspectives together and creating opportunities for joint learning and action.
For Movisie, this is where knowledge creates real impact: when research findings, professional experience and the voices of people directly affected come together to improve everyday life.
For more information, please contact:
Roos Pijpers – R.Pijpers@movisie.nl
Pauline van Tol – P.vanTol@movisie.nl
Movisie – Dutch national knowledge institute for social issues
www.movisie.nl
