You Care for Others. Now Let Us Support You.
VR-CARES is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality platform — designed by caregivers, for caregivers — to help you connect, recharge, and feel less alone in the vital work you do every day.
Not Commitment Required. All Technology Provided Free
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Earn up to $175 in e-gift cards for completing all study activities — plus keep the VR headset!
What Is VR-CARES?
VR-CARES stands for Virtual Reality for Caregiver Assembly, Respite, Empowerment, and Support. It's a research project that invites dementia caregivers like you to co-design a virtual reality support community — then be among the first to use it.
Many caregivers feel isolated and burned out. VR-CARES aims to change that by building a fun, supportive virtual space where caregivers can meet as avatars, share experiences, and access real peer support — all from wherever you are.
Your Voice Shapes the Platform
This is a first-ever study of its kind. No VR platform has been built specifically for direct, paid dementia caregivers — until now. Your experiences and feedback will directly inform what gets built and how it works.
In prior Rendever research, family caregivers reported significant reductions in stress, caregiver burden, and feelings of isolation after using our core VR social platform. Now, it's your turn, and we're taking it further by creating a dedicated VR gathering space for care professionals based on your specific needs.
How Participation Works
Simple Steps, Real Impact
Screen & Enroll
Fill out a quick 1-minute form to see if you're eligible. A team member will follow up to walk you through next steps and get your consent.
First Focus Group
Join a 60-minute Zoom discussion with fellow caregivers. Tell us what you need — your ideas directly shape the VR platform we build.
Use VR with Your Residents
For about 4 weeks, explore Rendever’s existing social VR platform with your clients — virtual travel, shared experiences, reminiscence activities. Training & all equipment provided.
Use VR-CARES with Peers
For 8 weeks, use the newly built VR-CARES platform with fellow caregivers. Create your own groups to gather informally — sit on a virtual beach and watch the sunset, share tips, laugh and cry about your day, or just hang out. Join facilitated weekly support groups, access dementia care training, and take part in virtual adventures together.
3 Surveys
Complete 3 online surveys (15–45 min each) at the beginning, middle, and end of the study. Earn $35 per survey, plus $35 per focus group — $175 total for completing all study activities.
Second Focus Group
Share what worked, what didn't, and what you loved. Your feedback helps finalize the platform for future caregivers everywhere
What You Receive
Everything is Provided - at No Cost to You
VR System
Each participant receives a complete Rendever VR system (2 headsets + tablet in a backpack) to use during the study and keeps a VR headset after the study to continue using with clients at your agency and for continued access to the VR-CARES platform.
Up to $175 in Gift Cards
$35 per survey × 3 surveys, plus $35 per focus group × 2 focus groups. You earn for your time at every step.
Always Connected
Your VR system comes connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot for the duration of the study so you can participate from anywhere — your home, your client's home, wherever works for you.
Training & Support
Training session over Zoom — quick or as long as you need — plus a dedicated support team available throughout the study. No tech experience needed, designed to be easy and fun to use.
Virtual Adventures Together
Sit on a beach and watch the sunset with fellow care professionals, hike the Grand Canyon, tour Rome, or swim with dolphins — all from home. Over 1,000 VR experiences available to explore on your own or with your group.
Your Own Space to Connect
Create caregiver groups on your own schedule — gather for informal chats, share dementia care pointers, laugh or vent about your day, or just decompress together. Facilitated weekly support groups and dementia care training are also built right into the platform.
Are you eligible?
We're recruiting 30 professional dementia caregivers nationwide. Here's what we're looking for:
Currently employed as a professional caregiver at a home care agency
Able to commit to approximately 12 weeks of participation
At least 18 years of age
Participation is entirely voluntary and has no effect on your employment status at your home care agency.
Ready to See if You Qualify?
It takes less than a minute. Fill out the short screening form and a member of our research team will reach out to tell you more — no commitment, no pressure.