Memories of a Life : A Design Case Study for Alzheimer ' s Disease

Technology can be a powerful support tool, leveraging media in order to enhance the lives of individuals affected by disabilities. Unfortunately, the design of this technology can be a complex and challenging process. In this chapter we present research in which we are designing interactive multimedia life stories for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a degenerative brain disease that causes the deterioration of cognitive abilities such as memory, language, communication, reasoning, and judgment (Alzheimer’s Association, 2005). As time progresses the severity of the symptoms increases and the disease advances through the early, mid, and late stages. The expression of the symptoms can range for each individual and at each stage. Currently, there is no cure for the disease, however there are ways in which the symptoms can be treated.

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