How can people with dementia be supported in preserving their memories? The Digitaler Erinnerungskoffer [Digital Memory Case] offers one approach. Packed with photos of “historical” everyday objects, it triggers those affected and their social environment to start conversations and activities. Together with our customers, we developed a web application that serves as an archive, guide and personalized collection.
Bringing back memories
A trip down memory lane
As part of the project series „Kennst du noch?“ [Do You Remember?], Historisches Museum Frankfurt and the Bürgerinstitut offer a range of formats for people with dementia and their relatives. The aim is to stimulate the memories of those affected in a relaxed atmosphere, to create a safe space for exchange and activities and to support the people who take care of them.
The so-called “Memory Cases” use everyday objects from earlier times to stimulate memories. They are used at events in the museum but are also made available to external institutions.
In order to make the offer accessible to people who are not (or no longer) able to visit the museum, we commissioned to transfer it to the digital space. From conception to design and programming to hosting, our team was involved in the entire creative process. The result can be used free of charge at kennstdunoch.com
In an open and agile process, the project team developed the Digital Memory Case together with the interaction designers from MESO. Using this web application, people with dementia unable to visit the museum can still discover “Kennst du noch? - Erinnerungskoffer digital” together in their family, relatives and loved ones at any time and participate in the museum’s cultural programme.
As with the physical Memory Cases, objects provide the impulse to evoke memories. However, the starting point here is an archive of almost 400 objects, which are stored as photos. They are divided into categories such as “household, cooking and hosting” or “childhood, games and toys”. Every object is accompanied by an information text.
Using the possibilities of an online format, we developed a range of functions that make the Digital Memory Case more than just a copy of the physical version.
The topic-related cases are accessible free of charge. A log-in area can be personalized and thus can be turned into an individual collection.
Individual objects can be added to the personal suitcase, which fills up piece by piece with favorite things. Thoughts and memories can be recorded using a note function.
Together with relatives or caregivers, those affected can create their very own archive of objects and texts, which provides a customized starting point for conversations and activities each time they are used.
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Curious about our approach? Feel free to get in touch!
Sebastian Oschatz Partner +49 69 24 000 321 sebastian.oschatz@meso.design sebastian.oschatz@meso.design +49 69 24 000 321
MESO Digital Interiors GmbH
Gutleutstr. 96 . 60329 Frankfurt . Germany
Team
Martin Jerulank, Laura Schillke