AI Companions for Dementia Care: To be Immersed or Not to Be

This study investigates how delivery modality affects social presence, engagement, attitudes toward AI, and usability among older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia engaging in voice-based interaction with an AI companion. Using a counterbalanced repeated measures design, participants complete both immersive virtual reality and desktop conditions. Adapted short-form measures are administered post-session, alongside semi-structured interviews. It is hypothesized that VR will elicit higher social presence and engagement. Results may inform modality selection for AI companion deployment in long-term care, specifically whether immersive technology enhances social presence or if desktop interaction provides comparable value.