Tangible Memories and Elders

Objects as Containers, Reminders, and Instruments

As a natural process of aging, elderly people have trouble with remembering things of the past (retrospective memory) or remembering to perform an intended action (prospective memory). In this paper, I want to address what artifacts and computing devices are used as an external memory aid and how these devices assist with elderly people's memory decline in their everyday life. Based on literature review on scientific, social and technological aspects of memory, recent developments and digital implementation as a memory aid and conducting qualitative study of elderly people, this research paper will suggest the needs, design, and technological elements of elderly people's memory practice.