Towards a System Architecture for Connected Physical and Digital Reminders Using Embodied Objects for People with Dementia

Numerous digital reminder solutions have been created on smartphones, tablets, and smart home devices, to support people with dementia. Yet, these digital reminder systems often overlook the importance of non-digital memory aids, such as paper calendars, diaries, and household objects, in the lives of people with dementia. Given recent work suggests that with progression of dementia, users are likely to minimize use of digital devices, accounting for non-digital practices around remembering presents an opportunity that can be leveraged when designing reminder technologies for people with dementia. This poster proposes a voice-based reminder system that connects both physical and digital reminders through embodied home objects and can be customized to the unique routines of the individual with dementia. We present the system architecture and usage scenarios that we implemented for feedback and iteration in future participatory design studies.