Exploring photo sharing to engage intergenerational families on health

Abstract

Sharing photos is a common practice for family members to inform and connect with each other. Sharing photos inspires recollection, reminiscence, and feelings of connectedness. Could it also be an effective channel for sharing health information and supporting healthy activity? In this paper, we examine how photo-sharing practices can help family members, specifically elderly parents and adult children, share health information. We present preliminary results from an interview study investigating photo-sharing benefits for non-collocated elderly parents and their adult children to encourage healthy lifestyles within the family. We discuss photo sharing as a viable strategy to engage family members in sharing health information.