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 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 leap, yet 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 (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 development 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 my calling.

The Station 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 care teams deserve the best tools and experiences possible.