VR-CARES: A virtual reality caregiver support and connection platform for at-home dementia care
Official title: VR-CARES: Feasibility of Virtual Reality for Caregiver Assembly, Relief, Empowerment, and Support to improve social connection, health, and at-home dementia care
Funded at Rendever, INC. · NIH-11324931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A caregiver-focused VR program helps home caregivers of people with dementia feel less burden and more connected by using shared virtual experiences and virtual support groups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rendever, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $146,903 |
| NIH project number | 5R41AG092119-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are home-based dementia caregivers who experience caregiver burden and social isolation.
✕Less likely to help
Caregivers who do not have reliable internet access or are unwilling to use VR technology may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project adapts a social VR platform to support dementia caregivers who work at home, aiming to reduce burnout and isolation. It will test how networked VR experiences can help caregivers connect with others, share stories, receive training, and join virtual support groups. The approach leverages Rendever’s existing platform to create immersive, avatars-based environments for group activities, training, and peer support, with the goal of improving caregiver well-being and the quality of at-home care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers may experience less stress and a stronger support network, which could improve consistency and quality of care for people with dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior VR social platforms have shown promise in reducing loneliness and increasing engagement among older adults and caregivers, but caregiver-specific VR support is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Rendever, INC.
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stamps, Jennifer Joy — Rendever, INC.
- Study coordinator: Stamps, Jennifer Joy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using virtual reality to support caregivers of dementia patients
This study is looking at how virtual reality can help caregivers of people with dementia feel more connected and supported by allowing them to share experiences and learn together in a fun, immersive way.
-
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A new digital platform will provide personalized, meaningful activities for people living with dementia to improve mood, behavior, and quality of life, with guidance for caregivers.
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This grant studies how state essential caregiver programs during 2020-2021 affected the care and outcomes of nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
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A dementia-focused project aims to tailor hospital-to-home or SNF care transitions to fit each patient and caregiver, improving safety and reducing readmissions.
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PERSEVERE: Peer mentor support and caregiver education for Lewy body dementia
A caregiver-focused program using peer mentors and education to help families caring for Lewy body dementia and reduce caregiver strain.
-
Caregiver tele-coaching to reduce abuse and neglect in dementia care
A caregiver-focused program (CuRB-IT) teaches practical, problem-solving strategies to manage care-resistant behaviors in people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, aiming to reduce abuse and neglect in the home.
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.