A conversational AI assistant to help caregivers of people with dementia.
Official title: COMPASS: A Family-Centered, Culturally Responsive Conversational AI Assistant to Support ADRD Caregivers and Family Care Networks in Real-Time
Funded at Beaver Health, INC. · NIH-11008802 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly AI helper called COMPASS that aims to support family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's and related conditions by giving them personalized advice and guidance that respects their cultural backgrounds, making their caregiving journey a little easier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beaver Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Jose, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $499,996 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AG087829-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008802 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are family caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, particularly those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in caregiving or do not have family members with dementia may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a family-centered, conversational AI assistant named COMPASS, designed to support caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The AI will provide personalized and culturally relevant caregiving guidance in real-time, addressing the unique challenges faced by caregivers, especially those from minoritized backgrounds. By facilitating better coordination within family care networks, COMPASS aims to alleviate the mental, physical, and emotional burdens that caregivers experience. The approach combines advanced AI technology with a deep understanding of cultural responsiveness to meet the diverse needs of caregivers and their families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of care and support available to caregivers of individuals with dementia.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of AI in caregiving is an emerging field, similar approaches have shown promise in enhancing support for caregivers in other health contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Beaver Health, INC.
San Jose, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Emily S. — Beaver Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wang, Emily S.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.