Designing for Reminiscence in Digital Photo Systems for Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Photographs have long been regarded as important cues for autobiographical reminiscence and as conversational anchors that facilitate social interaction among older adults. However, as recording practices shift from physical artifacts to large-scale fragmented digital assets, older users increasingly encounter cognitive load and interaction barriers during browsing, organizing, and sharing. Consequently, traditional album models centered on storage and retrieval are becoming insufficient, and digital photo systems are evolving from simple content repositories into interactional media that support cognitive assistance and social engagement. Although various photo-support systems for older adults have been proposed, existing research predominantly focuses on individual prototypes or short-term experimental contexts, lacking a comprehensive synthesis of technological pathways and underlying design logic. To address this gap, this study adopts a scoping review methodology following the PRISMA-ScR reporting guideline, systematically examining literature across human–computer interaction, gerontology, cognitive psychology, and design research. The review addresses two research questions: (Q1) What technological pathways can be identified in photo-support systems for older adults? (Q2) What core functional dimensions should digital photo systems embody to support older users? The findings identify three primary technological pathways: conversational AI systems that transform photos into interactive cues for reminiscence, embodied interface systems characterized by tangible and touch-based interactions, and immersive narrative systems enabled by AR/XR technologies. In addition, the review synthesizes three core functional dimensions that contribute to older adults’ well-being: memory support, emotional support, and social connection. Based on these findings, the study proposes three design implications: reframing systems from “photo searching” toward “storytelling,” preserving user agency beyond automated organization, and transforming one-way sharing into a “family co-creation” model to foster sustained intergenerational communication and collaborative narration.

Keywords: Older Adults, Digital Photo Systems, Reminiscence

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007577