The Horizon Europe projects In-Touch and AI4HOPE are strengthening their collaboration to advance supportive and palliative care for people living with dementia across Europe. Although the two initiatives focus on different stages of the dementia journey and use different approaches, both projects share a common goal: improving quality of life through personalised, compassionate and evidence-based care.
In-Touch is a €7.5 million EU-funded project led by University College Cork, bringing together 13 institutions across Europe, the UK and Canada to investigate non-pharmacological palliative interventions for people with advanced dementia in residential care settings. The project includes a large-scale trial across 56 care homes in seven countries, focusing on comfort, communication, staff training and multisensory support for residents and families.
AI4HOPE, a Horizon Europe research and innovation initiative involving 16 partners from 13 European countries, is developing AI-driven digital tools to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. The project combines digital health interventions, virtual reality and AI-based analytics to support symptom management, emotional wellbeing and advance care planning.
The synergy between the projects is explored in an article by Prof Suzanne Timmons, co-principal investigator for In-Touch and co-investigator for AI4HOPE. Reflecting on the collaboration, Prof Suzanne Timmons noted: “Together, InTouch and AI4HOPE target symptoms from early dementia right through to end-of-life care, with a focus on communication, preparedness, personalization, and comfort. Because sometimes you need to be both in-touch and hopeful.”
The article also notes that both projects place communication, dignity and person-centred care at the heart of their work, while exploring innovative ways to support people with dementia and those around them.
The joint collaboration was recently highlighted in a special edition newsletter featuring updates from both projects, including research developments, consortium activities and perspectives on the future of dementia care.
In addition, In-Touch and AI4HOPE were featured together at the EAPC 20th World Congress in Prague, held from 14–16 May 2026, where both projects contributed to discussions on the future of palliative care research and innovation in dementia care.
More information about the projects, the joint newsletter and participation in the EAPC Congress is available on the In-Touch and AI4HOPE project websites: AI4HOPE website, In-Touch website.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
AI4HOPE is funded by the European Union (AI4HOPE, 101136769). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
AI4HOPE is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee [Grant No. 101136769 ].
In-Touch is Funded by the European Union (grant no. 101137270) and supported by Innovate UK. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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