As Women in Tech Day spotlights industry leaders, Happy People Games CEO Sharon Wood is bringing a human-centered approach to one of healthcare’s fastest-growing challenges: memory wellness.
As the U.S. population ages, health technology companies are racing to address the growing demand for cognitive support solutions. But while much of the market has focused on diagnostics and brain training, a Connecticut-based founder is taking a different approach — one rooted in connection, familiarity, and play.
Sharon Wood, CEO and founder of Happy People Games, has spent nearly four decades in the gaming industry, building entertainment strategies and partnerships with Fortune 500 brands. Today, she is applying those same principles to health tech through her latest venture, The New Forevers, an evidence-based platform designed to support memory wellness.
The company recently announced the launch of its first two products, Timeless Tunes and Still Frames, interactive games that use music and imagery to stimulate memory, boost mood, and strengthen connections among older adults, caregivers, and families. The release comes at a time when more than 124 million Americans over the age of 50 are seeking ways to maintain cognitive health and quality of life.
A Shift Toward “Memory Wellness”
Unlike traditional brain training apps, which often rely on repetitive exercises and performance-based outcomes, The New Forevers is built around reminiscence therapy, a research-backed approach that encourages the recall of personal memories through familiar stimuli.
Timeless Tunes leverages well-known music from the 1950s through the 1970s, including tracks associated with artists such as Elvis Presley and Motown-era performers, to prompt recognition and engagement. Players are encouraged to actively recall song titles and artists through gameplay, rather than passively listening.
Still Frames, by contrast, focuses on visual storytelling. The interactive platform allows users to combine personal photos with curated imagery and creative elements to revisit life events and share stories with others. The experience is designed for both collaborative play and individual reflection, reinforcing memory through emotional connection.
Together, the products reflect a broader shift in health tech toward solutions that prioritize emotional well-being and social connection alongside cognitive function.
Wood’s work in memory wellness builds on a longer track record of developing games for social impact. Prior to launching The New Forevers, Happy People Games created Level Set, an interactive experience designed to support domestic violence prevention and healthy relationship education. The game has been used by educators and nonprofit organizations to help individuals recognize early warning signs of unhealthy dynamics and build communication skills.
This throughline—from prevention to cognitive wellness—positions Happy People Games within a growing category of “games for good” companies using interactive design to drive real-world behavior change.
Women Leading a More Human-Centered Tech Future
Wood’s leadership also reflects a broader trend gaining attention across the industry. As Women in Tech Day approaches on April 4, her work underscores the role women are playing in shaping more inclusive, empathetic approaches to technology, particularly in areas like caregiving, aging, and health.
Women are often primary decision-makers in family health and caregiving, and that perspective is increasingly influencing how products are designed. In the case of The New Forevers, that translates into experiences that avoid stigma, reduce frustration, and emphasize joy over performance.
Rather than framing memory loss solely as decline, the platform focuses on what remains: the ability to connect through music, images, and shared experiences.
A Growing Market, Still Largely Untapped
The opportunity for innovation in this space is significant. The market for products supporting aging populations is estimated at more than $50 billion, yet many solutions fail to fully address the emotional and relational aspects of cognitive change.
By combining entertainment design with evidence-based principles, companies like Happy People Games are beginning to redefine what digital health experiences can look like for older adults.
For Wood, the goal is not simply to improve memory function, but to preserve identity and connection. In a healthcare landscape increasingly shaped by technology, that human-centered approach may prove just as critical as any clinical breakthrough.
