Stop Alzheimer BRIDGE Identifying and addressing cultural and structural inequalities in the care of people with dementia within minority groups in Flanders and Brussels.

This research project examines cultural and structural inequalities in dementia care for people from minority groups in Flanders and Brussels. More than 18% of the Belgian population was born abroad, but these groups are under-represented in dementia care due to stigma, taboos, misconceptions about memory problems and a strong emphasis on family care. Existing materials are often insufficiently culturally adapted.
The project will proceed in three phases: a problem analysis via qualitative research (case studies, focus groups) and a quantitative survey involving at least 200 participants, followed by a co-creation phase in which culturally sensitive tools are developed together with the communities themselves, and finally a dissemination phase featuring a practical guide, a workshop and a scientific publication.
The end result is the BRIDGE toolkit: a set of practical resources for both informal carers and healthcare professionals, aimed at earlier referral to care and better support for people with dementia and a migrant background.