Virtual reality support and community for in‑home dementia caregivers
VR-CARES: Feasibility of Virtual Reality for Caregiver Assembly, Relief, Empowerment, and Support to Improve Social Connection, Health, and At-home Dementia Care
This project tests whether a co‑created virtual reality platform can help in‑home dementia caregivers connect with peers, reduce isolation, and improve wellbeing.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Rendever, Inc. Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 6 sites (San Diego, California and 5 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07430371 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
VR‑CARES uses a human‑centered, co‑design approach to build a caregiver‑specific social VR platform based on Rendever's existing content and networking tools. The project engages dementia care workers in iterative feedback sessions to shape features that promote peer connection, shared activities, and self‑care. After development, the team will pilot the platform with eligible in‑home caregivers to test feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on social support and job satisfaction. The project is conducted in partnership with Rendever, Right at Home, Comfort Keepers, and funded collaborators including NIA and RAND.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English‑proficient caregivers aged 18 or older who are employed by Right at Home and provide in‑home care to at least one client with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, and who can safely use a VR headset.
Not a fit: People with a history of seizures, severe vertigo or motion sickness, those unable to see images in a VR headset, non‑English speakers, or caregivers not employed by Right at Home are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce caregiver isolation and stress, helping caregivers stay in their jobs and improving continuity and quality of care for people with dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Related social VR programs, including Rendever's work with older adults, have demonstrated improved social engagement, but applying a co‑created VR platform specifically for in‑home dementia caregiver support is relatively novel and mainly at pilot stage.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Employed by Right at Home and have at least one older adult client with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's Disease or Related Dementia * At least 18 years of age * Are proficient in English Exclusion Criteria: * History of seizures, severe vertigo or motion sickness * Are unable to see images in the virtual reality headset
Where this trial is running
San Diego, California and 5 other locations
- Comfort Keepers Home Care — San Diego, California, United States (Recruiting)
- Rendever, Inc. — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
- Right at Home — Brighton, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
- Right at Home — East Lansing, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
- Right at Home — Novi, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
- Right at Home — Owosso, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jennifer Stamps, PhD, PhD
- Email: jennifer@rendever.com
- Phone: 904-476-1350
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.