AALIANCE conference - Malaga, Spain - 11 and 12 March 2010 1 Sticks –Innovative Devices and Concepts for Health Promotion and Memory Support Antti Karisto 1 , Helinä Melkas 2, *, Kari Kempas 2 and Juho Salminen 2 1 Department of Social Studies, Box 18, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland 2 Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lahti School of Innovation, Saimaankatu 11, FI-15140 Lahti, Finland E-Mails: antti.karisto@helsinki.fi (A. K.); helina.melkas@lut.fi (H. M.); kari.kempas@lut.fi (K. K.); juho.salminen@lut.fi (J. S.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; Tel.: +358-40 588 1400; Fax: +358-3 876 9133 Abstract: The paper focuses on two innovative devices being developed in a Finnish project for enhancing well-being of senior citizens. The hStick (health stick) is a modernised version of the SOS Passport. Various health-related data may be saved in it; it functions as a safety device in acute illnesses or injuries, and as a means for self-care as well as promotion of one’ s own health. The mStick is a memory and reminiscence stick; a biographical memory store, and a device supporting memory and testing it. Personal biographical documents are saved in it; its memory test and game applications serve those with memory problems, but it also serves active old people by providing meaningful entertainment. It is an excellent assistive device for care workers. The philosophy behind the hStick is that a human being is interested in her/his own well-being. The stick stimulates people to monitor and promote their own health. It makes contacts with social and health care transparent. The philosophy behind the mStick is that a human being is a biographical creature, whose memory never disappears completely – let alone memories. The mStick prevents the owner’ s world from becoming narrower, which easily follows the deterioration of functional abilities. Sticks are in the forefront of the developments in gerontechnology. They represent user-driven technology that empowers rather than labels; they imply proactive and tailor-made rather than reactive and standardized solutions; and their focus is on quality of life rather than on health alone. The concrete starting point – an ordinary USB stick (or similar gadgets) – is simple and cheap, but the concept is linked to a wide range of challenges and options as well as research and evaluation needs. A multi-disciplinary team in the Lahti region is working on the stick concept. The strongly user-driven work addresses several disciplines from social gerontology to nutrition, gerontechnology and design, inter alia. The project is in the phase of conceptual development and piloting. Keywords: technology; health promotion; memory support; quality of life.