How Experience Design for Memory Care Began
My journey into memory care design began with my own family when my dad and his twin sister were at the end of their lives. I saw firsthand the gaps in enrichment and support for people with or without dementia. Coming from a background in interactive and sensory design for museums, I recognized an opportunity to bring something new to this field—experiences that could foster connections and provide comfort or stimulation. Environments that served all who used or inhabited them. Transitioning from public exhibitions to memory care was a big leap. However, the goal remained the same: to create environments that foster engagement and bring joy to diverse peoples.
The first project in this domain, the Memory Care Experience Station pilot (Station), was a multi-year, grant-funded, and award-winning initiative. At the outset, the project was a merger of these knowledge bases:
Best practices in care
Dementia
Human-centered interaction design
Technology
Through nearly 200 iterative design sessions, I saw how tailored, multisensory design could create moments of delight, helping residents connect with loved ones and offering caregivers a new tool to reduce stress. This unique form of experience design, balancing clinical needs with creative engagement, has become central to my practice.
The Station pilot is in use at the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living. It was crafted to be flexible, sensory-rich, and adaptable to individual needs.
For me, it’s about creating connections that transcend memory. They bring delight. Whether it is stimulating or soothing, people at every stage of dementia, as well as their loved ones and care teams deserve the best tools and experiences possible.
To cite this post:
Mortati, M. August 19, 2025. How Experience Design for Memory Care Began. Design As Care blog, Mortati Design. https://www.mortatidesign.com/design-as-care/how-experience-design-for-memory-care-began
Image: Mortati, M. M. (2023). The Project Sits at the Intersection of These Topics and Practices. In Designing for people living with dementia (Page 3). CG Scholar. www.cgscholar.com/bookstore/works/designing-for-people-living-with-dementia