Our guest on a recent weekly Roundtable was Ellen Goodwin from Artifcts, a company that helps to uncover the stories behind seniors’ most cherished belongings.
By documenting the memories tied to beloved physical objects, it ensures those stories are preserved for generations to come. In her presentation, Ellen shared how preserving memories and making connections through tangible items can enrich the lives of seniors, families, and caregivers.
Here are some highlights from that conversation.
THE ARTIFCTS MISSION
Ellen explained the heart of their mission: where ‘stuff’ and stories meet. Their focus is on helping people at all life stages (with a particular emphasis on seniors) to pass down not just belongings but also the meaning and stories behind them. They realized there were plenty of apps for cataloging possessions and books and apps for writing life stories, but nothing brought the two together
STORIES CAN GET LOST
The truth is, the status quo isn’t kind to stories. Stories are what connect us, yet they often get lost as we declutter, organize, or downsize. Photo albums or phone metadata can’t speak for us, and cabinets full of keepsakes don’t tell their tales. Instead, we inherit these things, hold onto them, and often don’t know their significance. Artifcts is tackling this issue—not to add a burden, but to turn these objects into meaningful connections, preserving their stories in a way that brings people closer.
BUILDING INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS
Preserving the stories behind items bridges generations and creates meaningful connections. Ellen shared how a woman who used Artifcts with her granddaughter found her move to assisted living much easier. Similarly, Ellen’s daughter uses Atifcts with her grandmother, who has dementia, to break down conversational barriers during visits.
The process also fosters understanding, helping younger generations see seniors as vibrant individuals, sparking connections and breaking down boundaries.
