Exploring and Connecting: Assessing Volunteers’ Motivations and Perceptions Implementing Virtual Reality at a Community Drop-In Respite Program for People Living with Dementia

A greater proportion of people living with dementia (PLwD) and their caregivers prefer to “age in place” for as long as possible. Community drop-in respite programs provide relief and support for caregivers by enabling them to drop off their care receiver for a few hours while trained volunteers provide engagement and oversight. No known studies have explored implementing Virtual Reality (VR) in community drop-in respite programs for PLwD despite the benefits associated with this emerging technology. Within this exploratory study, a focus group with eight volunteers aged 65 years and older was conducted to understand their experiences being trained and delivering VR in a community-based, drop-in respite program serving PLwD. Qualitative analysis revealed four primary themes: 1) Motivation, 2) Positive impact of VR, 3) VR Participation, and 4) Enhancing VR delivery. Volunteers shared a strong interest in learning new technology, and their motivation to use VR with PLwD grew stronger. Volunteers observed the positive impact of VR on client engagement and social connections; PLwD had positive and fun VR experiences. Results provide evidence VR can be successfully implemented by respite volunteers. In conclusion, VR is a novel approach for volunteers and PLwD to have meaningful recreation as part of respite.