Tangible interaction drawers for people with dementia: retrieving living experiences from past memories

Recently, available studies suggest that reminiscence activity can improve cognitive functions and/or mood of people with dementia (PwD). Most current approaches focus on two types: using physical items (e.g. their photos, belonging objects), or using technology (e.g. tablet application). Physical item solutions are associated with more effort as each individual needs their own set of items. Technology solutions are promising but even a device with three buttons may be too complicated for people with moderate-severe dementia [1]. They usually need support to use the application. Based on contextual design, we came up with a chest of drawers using tangible user interface and Ubicomp technologies that can be interactive and adaptive. This approach also lets PwD do reminiscence activity by themselves, consequently enhance their autonomy, independent, and quality of life.