current status of the clothing for the elderly

MFC, 11th of September, 2014Barbora Široká

Current Status of Clothing for the

ElderlyBarbora Široká, Ján Široký, Ann Blaylock, Katy

Stevens, Tom Wright, Thomas Bechtold

Research Institute of Textile Chemistry and Textile PhysicsUniversity of Innsbruck, Austria


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 Krankenhaus-Betriebsgesellschaft m.b.H

• Anziani E Non Solo società cooperativa

IndustryManufacturers

• WarmX• Textilverein• Staff Jersey


METHODS

Literature search

Questionnaires with the elderly, care-givers

Interviews with companies

Visits

Workshops, seminars,

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

Clothing


CLOTHING

Provides: comfort

protection

outer image

The elderly: well fitting

attractive

functional

easy to put on


RESEARCH

Source: Sci Finder

% of research on different sub-topics within “clothing”

0 20 40 60 80 100

elderly

smart

sportwear

life cycle

fashion&design

healthcare

functionalityClothing

%

ELDERLY

Number of references for articles within ”Textiles” on “Clothing” and “Elderly”

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013

References

Year

Elderly Clothing


QUESTIONNAIRES

Care-homes: care-givers

Weakness of the clothing for the elderly

Requests for improvement

Austria, Italy, Slovakia ~ 2000 elderly


RESULTS - QUESTIONNAIRES

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Style/AppearanceColour

FasteningsDesign of Fastner

ComfortFabric

Moisture ManagementDurability

None

Desired Changes in Clothing

Slovakia Italy Austria



Functionalities – breathability, flame resistance, easy-care, lightweight, fit

to body etc. requested

Functionality of man-made and synthetic materials not

recognized

BARRIERS

Natural materials - Cotton – the most used material for clothing


Trust to sensors


BARRIERS

Care-giversThey are afraid if technology fails, the quality of care will be questioned

Sensors should be efficient, invisible, washable,

available for everybody

ElderlySensors = indicators of disability and bad health condition

Is there something wrong with me?

No e-textiles currently

used in care-homes


RESULTS - BRAINSTORMS

NEEDS/REQUIREMENTS

Design and colours are important for the elderly

Dressing needs to be done quickly – 6x/day, stressful

situation for the elderly

Brands do not want to be brought in connection with products which are

not fashionable. This has to be considered in the product development

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



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



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



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



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


RECOMMENDATIONS

Clothes should be bought long time before coming to nursing house (elderly

should bring it with themselves) – elderly should feel identity to cloth

Protection and energy absorptive systems should be included to protect the

elderly in the event of fall

GPS wearable systems should be applied

Velcro should be used as simpler fastener

The clothes should be easy to put on – provides independency for seniors

There should be a variety of products available with the same functionality

but different style/design


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.”

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current status of the clothing for the elderly

Documents

barbora irokclothingprovides

barbora iroktextiles

barbora iroktrust

barbora irokresearchsource

personal care

quality of care

carehomes mfc

caregivers interviews