BOOX Story: How a Software Designer and Engineer, Jan Miksovsky, uses BOOX to Support a Parent With Amnesia
BOOX helps individuals make a difference in life with productivity tools. The versatility of BOOX tablets extends beyond simple reading or note-taking. They serve as a canvas for creativity, and as this story reveals, improving quality of life.
Jan Miksovsky, a software designer and engineer, adapted the BOOX Note Air2 to create an accessible digital message board tailored to his mother, who suffers from permanent anterograde amnesia. His journey illustrates technology’s profound impact on enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing memory challenges.
The Challenge of Memory Loss
In June 2022, Jan’s mother underwent major surgery that left her with permanent amnesia so that she can no longer form new long-term memories. This condition left her in a constant state of anxiety about her grown children’s well-being. Frequent calls and traditional reminders proved ineffective, as paper notes quickly became outdated, and she would forget messages shortly after reading them.
Finding an Always-on Digital Message Board
Recognizing his mother’s anxiety, Jan sought a reliable communication tool with specific design criteria. He writes, “I thought some sort of unobtrusive, always-on device installed in her apartment to show her notes written by my siblings and me “After extensive research, Jan discovered the BOOX Note Air2, an E Ink tablet that perfectly met all his requirements. It offered WiFi connectivity and a user-friendly web browser, making remote message updates simple. With a battery life lasting weeks, it guaranteed uninterrupted communication.
The 10.3" HD Carta glass screen and 227 DPI E Ink display provided excellent readability from a distance. Additionally, it could be set to automatically launch a designated web page upon startup, ensuring instant access to messages. With its sleek design and practical features, the BOOX Note Air2 beautifully fits into Jan’s mother’s living space, serving both functionality and aesthetics.
Designing an Innovative Solution: The “MomBoard”
To bring his vision to life, Jan has developed a simple web application with two main components: the Board Page, which serves as the primary interface displaying messages from family members and loads automatically when the device starts, and the Compose Page, a space where Jan and his siblings can write and save messages remotely to ensure their mother always has updated information.
The web application was optimized for reliability, utilizing technologies like vanilla HTML, CSS, and a small amount of JavaScript. Jan also ensured the system could handle network outages by incorporating fallback mechanisms that kept the display operational until connectivity was restored.
He shares, “I spent a couple of weeks working on the software and letting it run for long periods of time. I was pleasantly surprised that the BOOX display worked as well as it did and seemed to stay up indefinitely.”
Impact on Quality of Life
Since installing the “Momboard” software in November 2022, on BOOX Note Air2 in his mother’s apartment, Jan has witnessed significant improvements in his mother’s emotional well-being. “Despite her amnesia, my mom came to remember that this display exists and what it’s for. She looks forward to seeing updates from her children on it.”
Jan reflects on this journey: “This intervention has been one of the few successful strategies I have implemented to enhance her quality of life. One reason it’s worked so well is that BOOX Note Air2 didn’t require her to learn anything new. Without the ability to remember new things, it’s virtually impossible for her to learn a new skill or to form new habits. The device’s reliability has surpassed my expectations.”
Jan Miksovsky’s innovative use of the BOOX Note Air2 exemplifies how technology can profoundly impact caregiving. Creating an accessible communication tool tailored to his mother’s needs has not only alleviated her mother’s anxiety but also strengthened family connections. This inspiring story serves as a reminder of the potential technology holds for improving lives.
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