Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: Innovating AI-Powered Assistance for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

A Case Study

Name: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Industry: Nonprofit – Healthcare & Support Services

Company Size: ~50 employees

Company Mission & Vision: To provide support, services, and education to individuals, families, and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide.

Products/Services: An AI-powered assistant for their national helpline.

Target Audiences:

• Families and caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s
• Healthcare professionals and social workers
• General public seeking educational resources on Alzheimer’s

From Vision to Virtual Assistant: Inside the Creation of Allison

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, education, and resources for individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Recognizing the growing need for round-the-clock assistance, AFA introduced Allison, an AI-powered virtual help assistant designed and developed by Bold Crow AI using D-ID’s advanced video avatar API solutions. By delivering reliable information and personalized responses, Allison ensures caregivers have access to critical support at any time, even beyond traditional helpline hours.

Addressing the Gaps in Caregiver Support

AFA operates a national helpline staffed by social workers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. However, Alzheimer’s caregiving needs don’t follow a schedule. Families often need urgent advice in the middle of the night, early in the morning, or during unexpected crises. Common concerns include:

• What should I do if my loved one is wandering at night?
• How can I help them relax or go to sleep?
• Is it safe to give them certain foods or medications?

AFA needed an innovative way to provide immediate, accurate, and human-like support whenever caregivers needed it most, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How AI Delivers Real-Time Caregiving Assistance

To bridge this gap, AFA partnered with Bold Crow AI to develop Allison, the first AI-powered virtual assistant designed specifically for Alzheimer’s support. The system built for Allison by Bold Crow AI made perfect sense to utilize D-ID’s digital human technology. Unlike traditional chatbots, D-ID enables Allison with features that offer a more natural and engaging experience by combining a human-like face, voice, and expressions. 

Key features include:

Conversational Interaction – Allison’s lifelike presence creates a sense of connection, making digital interactions feel more natural and reassuring.

24/7 Availability – Equipped with answers to over 300 frequently asked questions, Allison ensures caregivers can get immediate guidance, even when the live helpline is offline.

Help Ticket System:  If a user asks a question outside the agent’s database, Allison will triage and help them write up and submit a help ticket. Social workers respond when they’re back online, ensuring a seamless blend of AI and human support.

Multi-language Support: Allison is programmed to answer questions in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and even Farsi, increasing accessibility for diverse communities and further fulfilling the organization’s mission of inclusive support.

From Concept to Reality: Bringing Allison to Life

The project began with an in-depth review of frequently asked helpline questions, ensuring Allison could provide accurate and relevant information. AFA partnered with Bold Crow AI, to create Allison and to design and develop the application. Bold Crow AI has enjoyed partnering with D-ID because the technology is a game-changer for organizations looking to engage their communities in more meaningful and interactive ways.

The project was executed in phases:

Customization and Testing: Bold Crow AI meticulously designed and programmed Allison with compassionate responses over several months, refining her tone and delivery to ensure a seamless, glitch-free user experience.

Integration and Launch: Leveraging D-ID’s API, Allison was brought to life and was configured to serve as an on-demand resource for caregivers.

Continuous Improvement: User feedback and social worker insights continue to shape Allison’s evolution, improving her ability to adapt and respond effectively to real-world caregiver needs.

The collaboration between D-ID and Bold Crow AI was essential to Allison’s success. The two teams worked closely from the outset, holding several intricate discussions regarding streaming minutes, technology direction, and implementation.. Bold Crow AI led the technical development, while D-ID provided guidance on integration, response time, and quality assurance, helping fine-tune Allison’s performance. This close partnership ensured a smooth development process and brought Allison to life as a highly interactive, accessible, and effective tool for caregivers.

The Measurable Impact of AI in Alzheimer’s Care

Since its launch in December, Allison has significantly expanded support beyond traditional helpline hours, ensuring caregivers always have access to assistance, even when social workers are unavailable. Currently handling scores of inquiries per week, Allison’s engagement is expected to grow as AFA increases awareness through targeted outreach and promotions. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with social workers and users praising the accuracy, ease of use, and seamless integration of the help ticket system, which bridges the gap between AI and human intervention.

Allison alleviates pressure on AFA’s human support teams by providing instant answers and reducing wait times, allowing them to focus on more complex caregiver needs. As awareness and adoption continue to increase, Allison is proving to be an invaluable tool for families navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s care, offering reassurance and timely information when needed most.

Why AFA Chose D-ID?

AFA chose D-ID because of its advanced AI and lip-syncing technology, which provides realistic and dynamic human-like interactions that enhance user engagement. Bold Crow AI’s seamless integration of D-ID’s API, coupled with comprehensive documentation, made the implementation and customization process smooth and efficient. Additionally, D-ID’s team offered exceptional support throughout the development process, ensuring Allison was built effectively and aligned perfectly with AFA’s vision. This collaborative approach empowered AFA with a compassionate, functional, and innovative virtual assistant that truly serves the needs of its users.

Impact and Future Plans for the AFA Virtual Assistant

Allison marks a new era in Alzheimer’s caregiving, demonstrating how AI can extend vital support to families and caregivers when they need it most. To increase adoption, AFA is expanding promotional efforts through social media, caregiver conferences, and targeted outreach.

AFA envisions Allison evolving into supporting its National Memory Screening Program by providing free memory screenings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By continuously improving its capabilities, AFA is setting a precedent for how nonprofits can use AI-driven solutions to enhance public health services.

A New Era of Assistance for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

Allison is more than a virtual help assistant—the platform is a trusted resource for families navigating the complexities of Alzheimer’s care. By leveraging D-ID’s AI technology, AFA has set a new benchmark for how digital humans can enhance access to reliable, on-demand support.

As Allison’s reach continues to grow, it reinforces AFA’s commitment to ensuring no caregiver faces Alzheimer’s alone, no matter where they live.