DZNE Witten

The number of people with dementia will rise sharply in the coming decades due to the demographic shift. Providing care for these people and supporting their families is one of the key challenges for the health care system of the future.

Researchers at the DZNE site in Witten are meeting this challenge by investigating existing care strategies and developing new ones to relieve the burden on the system and enable those affected to enjoy greater quality of life during all stages of the disease. The concept of care should not be viewed abstractly; on the contrary, it should focus on real persons in the actual realities of their lives.

Our research is focused on helping people with dementia to live independently and participate in society.

Prof. Martina Roes

Site speaker at DZNE Witten

Therefore, one overarching research topic is perspectives for people with dementia, especially at the beginning of their disease. However, special attention is also being paid to the foreseeable reduction in health care staffing resources in the future. This requires innovative concepts that have a beneficial effect on human resources, including a supportive use of technology.

Four interdisciplinary working groups are taking a comprehensive look at the different aspects and persons involved in care, examining not only direct interventions, but also the nursing and medical structures of the health care system, social and psychological factors, and the individual perspectives of those affected or their families. Specific research areas include care structures, care interventions, implementation and dissemination research, and methodological research.

The DZNE site in Witten works closely with the University of Witten-Herdecke.

Your commitment can make a big difference!

By participating in scientific studies, donating brain tissue or providing financial support, you can make a significant contribution to medical progress and a healthy future.

Dementia Leaders

► You can find further information here on the project webpage.

Jahrestagung 2026

News

Pflegeforschungspreis für das Projekt “CogStim24” - Neue Wege für mehr Lebensqualität bei Demenz

Im Rahmen des 30-jährigen Bestehens der Alzheimer Forschung Initiative (AFI), wurde am 26. September 2025 in Stuttgart erstmals der Pflegeforschungspreis der Alzheimer Forschung Initiative (AFI) verliehen. Die mit 500.000 Euro dotierte Auszeichnung ging an das Projekt “CogStim24 – Kognitive Stimulation im Pflegealltag”, das von Prof. Dr. Elke Kalbe und Dr. Ann-Kristin Folkerts (Uniklinik Köln) geleitet wird.

Ziel des Projekts ist die Entwicklung und Evaluation eines praxisnahen Programms zur kognitiven Aktivierung von Menschen mit Demenz. Ein modular aufgebautes Instrumentenset aus kognitivem Training, Biografiearbeit, Bewegung und Musik, soll in Pflegeeinrichtungen implementiert und wissenschaftlich überprüft werden.

Weitere Informationen sowie die vollständige Pressemitteilung finden Sie hier!