Current Status of Clothing for the Elderly Barbora Široká, Ján Široký, Ann Blaylock, Katy Stevens, Tom Wright, Thomas Bechtold Research Institute of Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics University of Innsbruck, Austria
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
TEXTILES FOR AGEING SOCIETY (TAGS) CONSORTIUM Innovation and Technology Transfer Org. • Fondazione Democenter-Sipe
Research Coordination • University of Innsbruck • Thuringian Institute of Textiles and Plastics Research
Technology Development • Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute, Ltd.
Care - Providers • Connexia – Gesellschaft für Gesundheit und Pflege gem. GmbH • Vorarlberger KrankenhausBetriebsgesellschaft m.b.H • Anziani E Non Solo società cooperativa
Barbora Široká
Industry Manufacturers • WarmX • Textilverein • Staff Jersey MFC, 11th of September, 2014
METHODS
Literature search Questionnaires with the elderly, care-givers Interviews with companies Visits Workshops, seminars,
Clothing
discussion rounds with invited experts Brainstormings Formation of new collaborations
Present state of the art materials, products, technologies
Demands, expectations
Barriers, problems
New ideas, proposals for solutions
TOPICS: Bedding textiles, Clothing, Hygiene and personal care, Therapeutic and recreation textiles Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
CLOTHING Provides: comfort protection outer image
The elderly: well fitting attractive functional easy to put on
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESEARCH Number of references for articles within ”Textiles” on “Clothing” and “Elderly” 800
Elderly
Clothing
% of research on different subtopics within “clothing”
700 References
600
Clothing
500 400
functionality
300
healthcare
200
fashion&design
100 0
life cycle sportwear 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Year
ELDERLY
smart elderly 0
20
40
%
60
80
100
Source: Sci Finder Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
QUESTIONNAIRES
Austria, Italy, Slovakia ~ 2000 elderly
Care-homes: care-givers Weakness of the clothing for the elderly Requests for improvement
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - QUESTIONNAIRES
Desired Changes in Clothing None Durability Moisture Management Fabric Comfort Design of Fastner Fastenings Colour Style/Appearance 0%
20% Slovakia
Barbora Široká
40% Italy
60%
80%
100%
Austria
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - QUESTIONNAIRES BARRIERS Functionalities – breathability, flame resistance, easy-care, lightweight, fit to body etc. requested
Natural materials - Cotton – the most used material for clothing
Functionality of man-made and synthetic materials not recognized
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - QUESTIONNAIRES BARRIERS No e-textiles currently used in care-homes Trust to sensors Elderly Sensors = indicators of disability and bad health condition Is there something wrong with me?
Care-givers They are afraid if technology fails, the quality of care will be questioned Sensors should be efficient, invisible, washable, available for everybody Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - BRAINSTORMS NEEDS/REQUIREMENTS Dressing needs to be done quickly – 6x/day, stressful situation for the elderly Design and colours are important for the elderly Family relatives do not take seriously carers recommendations about clothing Not fitting clothing - pyjamas, trousers, shirts sleeves are too long, etc. There is a lack of education what clothing should be worn and why Brands do not want to be brought in connection with products which are not fashionable. This has to be considered in the product development Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - BRAINSTORMS EXPECTED FUNCTIONALITY OF PERFECT CLOTHES well fitted made of soft, light coloured, natural materials ease of dressing functional, stylish
OBSTACLES OF FASHION REACHING THE MARKET department, online shops can not always be easily reached by the elderly clothes for the elderly = unfashionable clothes = unfavourable for fashion designers functionalised clothes – increased cost
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - BRAINSTORMS DESIRED FUNCTIONS FOR CLOTHING increased protection for body parts such as hips, elbows and knees improved hygienic performance of clothing concepts of clothing for overweight people, sportsmen, military and work clothes can be applied soft seamless clothing
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - BRAINSTORMS GROUPS OF CLOTHING CONCEPTS DEPENDENT ON HEALTH STATUS People suffering from: Alzheimer’s, dementia incontinence Parkinson’s disease wheelchairs
Figures Source: http://sanitarialetreeta.wordpress.com/; 2nd TAGS Mid-Year Meeting, Carpi, Italy Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RESULTS - BRAINSTORMS EXAMPLE: PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM DEMENTIA People with dementia lose their identity – the identity may be reunited by clothes Need for stable temperature - people get nervous when temperature changes; difficult to handle for caregivers Established concepts should prevent undressing
Figures Source: Ms. Sonnweber, Ms. Moosburger, Dipl.Päd. A. Romagna-Mieβgang, HTL Dornbirn; 1st TAGS Mid-Year Meeting, Dornbirn Barbora Široká MFC, 11th of September, 2014
RECOMMENDATIONS Clothes should be bought long time before coming to nursing house (elderly should bring it with themselves) – elderly should feel identity to cloth There should be a variety of products available with the same functionality but different style/design The clothes should be easy to put on – provides independency for seniors Velcro should be used as simpler fastener Protection and energy absorptive systems should be included to protect the elderly in the event of fall GPS wearable systems should be applied
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014
Thank you for your attention “The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 290494.” Follow us: Homepage: http://www.textilesforageingsociety.eu/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TextilesForAgeingSocietyTAGS Twitter: https://twitter.com/#TAGS_FP7
Barbora Široká
MFC, 11th of September, 2014