Digital health technologies aim to detect distress earlier, relieve caregiver burden, and proactively integrate supportive care principles into routine practice.
The daily burden of pain and other symptoms experienced by people with dementia are frequently under-recognized, often leading to delayed integration of palliative care and advance care planning. To address this gap, the EU-funded project Artificial Intelligence based Health, Optimism, Purpose, and Endurance in Palliative Care for Dementia (AI4HOPE) is exploring how artificial intelligence and digital health technologies can create earlier, more personalized supportive care pathways for individuals living with dementia.
In this context, two parallel pilot studies are currently being conducted across six European (clinical) research centres: Bonn (Germany), Cork (Ireland), Leeds (United Kingdom), Porto (Portugal), Maribor (Slovenia), and Valladolid (Spain). Eligible participants include individuals with mild to moderate dementia (MoCA ≥ 16) who reside either at home or in residential care settings and have adequate social support. Each pilot aims to recruit 150 people living with dementia and up to 150 caregivers, yielding a total cohort of 300 participants per study.
- Pilot Study 1 develops and tests a standardized symptom-assessment toolkit alongside a digital, self-directed intervention platform delivering evidence-based strategies for common dementia symptoms. Participation lasts seven days, with an optional extension of up to 30 days.
- Pilot Study 2 evaluates an AI-driven chatbot that provides tailored dementia care support, assessing personal preferences to individually tailor advanced care planning decisions. The core participation period is seven days, extendable up to 90 days.
Both pilot studies launched in June 2026, with initial recruitment already successfully underway. Through symptom assessment and enabling proactive, AI-supported care planning, AI4HOPE demonstrates how digital innovations can empower people with dementia, alleviate caregiver strain, and integrate supportive care principles earlier into routine practice. The project addresses a critical gap in dementia care by shifting support from reactive to proactive models, leveraging AI to personalize interventions without increasing cognitive load.
The findings will provide a robust evidence base for future randomized controlled trials and help shape policy frameworks for scaling digital health solutions for people living with dementia.
For more information about the AI4HOPE project, visit the official website: www.ai4hope.eu
Acknowledgment: 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.
This work was funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee [Grant No. 101136769].
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