"Release the item, keep the memory."
Memento Box is a "Senior-First" Progressive Web App (PWA) designed to help aging adults downsize by preserving the stories attached to their physical possessions.
Home Screen: Your collection at a glance.
Capture Screen: Simple photo and audio recording.
Review Screen: Decide what to do with the item.
To empower seniors to let go of physical clutter without losing the emotional connection to their memories, and to facilitate the transfer of family history to the next generation.
We are building this product to hire it for the following "Jobs":
When I am sorting through a lifetime of possessions and feel overwhelmed by the guilt of throwing things away... I want to preserve the memory and the story attached to the object... So that I can physically let go of the item without feeling like I am erasing a part of my life.
When I am deciding who should receive my cherished belongings... I want to record why this item matters and who it is intended for... So that my children and grandchildren understand its value and don't just see it as "stuff".
When I am helping my parent downsize and we are physically separated... I want to see a clear list of what needs to be moved, donated, or kept... So that I can efficiently manage the logistics of the move when I visit.
When I am sitting in my armchair and want to feel connected to my past... I want to watch a passive slideshow of my items and hear my own voice telling the stories... So that I can enjoy my memories without having to dig through boxes.
When I give an item to my grandchild... I want to attach a QR code that links to the story... So that when they hold the object, they can hear me telling them why it matters.
- The Storyteller (Primary): 75+ years old. Not tech-savvy. Uses an iPad or iPhone. Values memories over things but is burdened by the volume of "stuff".
- The Helper (Secondary): Adult child (40-60s). Tech-savvy. Wants to help but is often remote. Needs clarity and organization.
- The Heirloom Receiver (Tertiary): Grandchild. Wants to know the history of the object they inherited.
- As a Storyteller, I want to take a photo and immediately start recording audio so I don't lose my train of thought.
- As a Storyteller, I want to walk around the house taking photos of many items quickly ("Batch Mode"), and then sit down later to record the stories for them.
- As a Storyteller, I want to tag an item as "Donate" so my children know it can go.
- As a Storyteller, I want to check a box saying "I need help moving this" for heavy items, so I remember to ask my son when he visits.
- As a Storyteller, I want a "Frame Mode" that plays my memories like a movie.
- As a Storyteller, I want to print QR code stickers for my items so I can attach the story to the physical object.
- As a Heirloom Receiver, I want to scan a QR code on a vase and hear Grandma's story about it.
- As a Helper, I want to filter the list by "Needs Help" so I know exactly what tasks to do when I visit.
- As a Helper, I want to mark items as "Moved / Done" so they disappear from my "Needs Help" list for next time.
- As a Helper, I want to mark items as "Physically Gone" (Donated/Gifted) so we can celebrate the progress made in clearing the house.
- Simple Inputs: One photo, one audio recording, one status button.
- The "Heavy" Toggle: A simple checkbox for "I need help moving this".
- Forgiving UI: Undo buttons, clear confirmations, no "hidden" gestures.
- Offline Grace: Works in the attic (offline) but clearly communicates when data is safe (online).
- Cloud-First: Data is only "safe" when confirmed by Google Drive.
- Ownership: Data lives in the user's Google Drive, not our servers.
- Sorting: Categories for Keep, Gift, Donate, Trash.
- Review: A way to sit back and review the "Drafts" before finalizing.
- Printing: Generate printable PDF of QR codes for selected items.
- Senior-First Accessibility: 18px+ font, 60px+ touch targets, high contrast.
- No Proprietary Backend: Must run 100% client-side.