Caregiver Adoption of Virtual Reality in Dementia Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract This study examines the application of virtual reality (VR) therapies in dementia care through a systematic literature review and a qualitative analysis of caregiver responses from six aged care facilities in Australia. A PRISMA-guided review identified key technological trends, with VR emerging as a promising intervention alongside monitoring systems and robotics. The NASSS framework was applied to evaluate factors influencing technology implementation, highlighting challenges in long-term adoption, organizational readiness, and value propositions such as efficacy and scalability. To further understand VR’s real-world impact, nine semi-structured caregiver interviews were analysed using the Gioia method. Findings revealed seven aggregate dimensions, with VR strongly supporting social connection, emotional engagement, behavioural management, and memory recall. Caregivers emphasized that personalized and culturally meaningful content, such as nature scenes, seasonal activities, and reminiscence-based experiences, enhanced therapy outcomes and resident participation. Despite benefits, barriers including physical discomfort, fear of unfamiliarity, and lack of training were noted, particularly for residents with advanced dementia. Early exposure, shorter sessions, and tailored content were key drivers of adoption. This study underscores that successful VR integration requires user-centred design, ongoing adaptation, and alignment with care routines, highlighting the critical role of frontline staff in translating technological potential into meaningful dementia care outcomes.