From the very beginning of the design process, “Simplicity” was one of Memo Touch’s three core values (more on “Reliability” and “Commitment to Customers” later). We wanted Memo to be perfectly usable by a person who was 90+years old, had never used computers, and could not learn easily because of memory loss. Memo had to be simple, simple, simple!

Simplicity, we believed, was essential. We knew many of the end users in our customer base did not understand computing, and most importantly, could not learn new technology easily because of their memory loss. Short-term memory, after all, is the gateway to long-term memory, which is where learning occurs. So when it is impaired, learning becomes extremely difficult.

A great example: when most of it get a new electronic gadget, we can easily figure out how to turn it on. How do we do that? Dozens of other gadgets in our lives have similar buttons, and most are identified by a different color or the universal symbol for power, a circle with a vertical line inside. We know that because many memories of them are stored in our brains.

Someone with short-term memory loss has few or no memories of such buttons, if their experiences with electronic gadgets began after memory loss set in. So just figuring out how to turn a new device on is an obstacle. Furthermore, when someone shows them how to turn it on, they are unlikely to remember it.

It’s not that persons with early-stage Alzheimers or mild cognitive impairment cannot learn anything. They can and they do! But it may take many repetitions – 10 or 20 or even 30 – when most of us would learn on the first try.

We are frequently asked if Memo can do video chats, take pictures, do email, play games, surf the internet, etc. Early on, we decided the answer should be No. Elders who are capable of learning and using that level of technology have many other devices to choose from.

We considered how much learning would be required for someone to learn to operate even simplified versions of a web browser or a game. From the first action of learning to turn the device on, through a series of icons, menus, and clicks, all those features require a lot of steps to master. When we multiplied each step by 20 or 30 repetitions necessary to learn the device, we realized that the people who need Memo would be terribly frustrated learning to use it.

We believe that is why we frequently hear stories from family members who bought their loved one a new phone, a new remote, a new microwave, a new dishwasher, a new garage door opener, or a new alarm clock – only to discover that they never use it. We take our own ability to remember simple things for granted, so it is hard to understand what a steep learning curve confronts someone with short-term memory loss.

We decided Memo should stick to doing very well the thing we believe is most important: providing constant reminders, information, and messages to help someone with memory loss keep their life on track and remain independent. It was a tough design decision, because we know so many other features would be attractive. We added a few items such as phone list, weather, and photo albums that families can add (at no additional cost) when it’s appropriate. But Memo can perform its primary function as a memory assistant with no learning at all. Just plug it in and let it perform.

“If they can watch TV, they can use a Memo.”