Co-designing flavor-based memory cues with older adults

Abstract

This initial study explores the design of flavor-based cues with older adults for their self-defining memories. It proposes using food to leverage the connections between odor and memory to develop new multisensory memory cues. Working with 4 older adults, we identified 6 self-defining autobiographical memories for each participant, 3 related to food, 3 unrelated to food. Flavor-based cues were then created for each memory through a co-design process. Findings indicate the dominance of relationship themes in the identified self-defining memories and that flavor-based cues related mostly to multiple ingredient dishes. We discuss how these findings can support further research and design into flavor-based memory cues through 3D food printing.