An Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation Program for Dementia Caregivers: A Technical Report and Pilot User Feedback

Abstract

Caregivers often navigate complex behavioral and communication challenges with limited opportunities for guided practice, making scalable, skills-based training a persistent need in dementia care. This technical report summarizes the 12-month iterative development of VR SIM Carers, an immersive virtual reality (VR) simulation program for caregivers and care partners of people living with dementia. The program delivers psychoeducational content through interactive, first‑person VR scenarios that allow caregivers to practice communication and decision-making in realistic home‑based care situations. The report outlines the user‑centered, iterative development process, key technical and design decisions, and refinements informed by multi‑cohort user testing. As a secondary component of the technical report, pilot user testing with 24 caregivers provided preliminary information on feasibility, acceptability, usability, and tolerability, and helped identify considerations for deploying and refining VR-based caregiver training in clinical and community settings.