Episode 2 | Designing for Dignity
Interaction designer Maria Mortati joins Wellness and Wonder to share how a multisensory platform built for dementia care is uplifting residents and reimagining how caregivers facilitate connection.
As Maria looks to the future, she envisions a research-based design lab where caregivers, technologists, and architects can collaborate to build the next generation of supportive environments and tools. With non-invasive observation, and a focus on joy and dignity, she believes we can develop responsive care platforms that scale while remaining deeply human.
"You want to be able to have a tool that's flexible enough to meet people wherever they are. These are unique individuals in very dynamic situations." – Maria Mortati
In this episode, Maria shares the story behind the Memory Care Experience Station, a project designed in collaboration with the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living. Developed through extensive prototyping and collaboration with life enrichment staff, the platform offers residents with mid to late-stage dementia experiences ranging from cooking pizza in Rome to birdwatching and singing.
Maria traces her career from studio artist to museum exhibit developer to interaction designer—ultimately arriving in the healthcare space through personal experiences with loved ones in care facilities.