MOMENTE − Gender-sensitive conceptualisation of an instrument for self-biographical memorising and memory training for people with forgetfulness

The aim of the MOMENTE project is to further develop an existing multisensory language training instrument called Memocorby in such a way that people with a mild form of forgetfulness can explore and record their own digital biography in the form of language, sounds, music, personal texts and pictures or photos.

The aim of the project is to design a gender-sensitive, multisensory and ethically tested digital device. On the one hand it enables people with forgetfulness to record their biography by saving language, sounds, texts, images, photos and biographically relevant music on the tool. On the other hand, it can serve as a therapy device that supports relatives and friends as well as nurses and therapists with their daily care. The concept of the so-called MOMENTS device is based on an existing language training tool called Memocorby, which offers an approach to an inclusive technology for speech therapists but not for patients.

Especially at a more advanced stage of dementia, the ability to express oneself verbally is an essential part of the quality of life. The emotional support of people with forgetfulness as a marginalised group of people should therefore be regarded not only as a therapeutic but also as a social objective, especially since (caring) members and nurses as well as therapists are in dire straits of support in order to fulfil their daily care work. So far, there is no digital instrument that is suitable for mapping the meaning of (auto) biography for individuals and groups. In addition to memory training, the desired training instrument also aims to support the sensual experience, to be a starting point for encounters and to be stressfree. The use of digital technologies offers more extensive possibilities than analog formats (e. g. photo albums) do.

As a main result, we strive for a gender-sensitive conception of the device, which promotes the lifelong training of the brain, taking into consideration the individual usage habits of technologies, especially in regard of gender as two third of patients and most of the medical staff are female. In doing so, we will deal with questions of the content of the device as well as with the steps previously necessary, so that the tool is "filled" with one's own life and also used in time before oblivion is too advanced. We also examine the question of what the legal circumstances must be when personal content is stored on a digital platform, so for instance that it can be passed on or deleted. As mentioned above it is of outmost importance whether there are different requirements of people of different sexes with regard of the design, usage or content. The development of the device is mainly geared to the application by people with forgetfulness, but also by people close to the user.

Consortium: Apptec Ventures GmbH (Lead), IMC Fachhochschule Krems GmbH, Memocorby Systems GmbH, mdw – Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Wiedenbauer Mutz Winkler & Partner Rechtsanwälte GmbH.

Project Team (mdw): Eva Phan Quoc, Julia Fent

Duration: 10/2021−09/2023

Funding: FEMTech (FFG)

Contact: phan-quoc@mdw.ac.at