Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2025

Keywords

Elderly; Adaptive Clothing; Dressing; Functionality; Wear comfort

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This research enhances the wear comfort and functionality of adaptive clothing for elderly individuals (65 years old and older) in Hong Kong. There are three study objectives: (1) to identify the specific dressing challenges and difficulties of the elderly and their caregivers, (2) to explore the needs and preferences of the aged towards adaptive clothing, taking into account factors such as wear comfort, ease of use, style, and culture, and (3) to propose a design solution that addresses the identified challenges and meets the needs of elderly people, with a focus on wear comfort and functionality. Methods: The general methodology comprises a questionnaire and selfreported data. A total of 80 questionnaires are distributed to the aged with 54 completed and acceptable ones. SPSS Statistics is used to determine the meaningful patterns, trends, and linkages that are associated with the difficulties of the elderly in dressing. The quantitative data obtained are analyzed for a tailor-made adaptive garment. The proposed design addresses the identified issues of the elderly participants and contributes to garment designs with a better texture and cut. Results: The survey results show that the participants prioritize adaptive features such as elasticized waistbands, adaptive fasteners, open-back designs, and wide openings. The greatest challenges that they face in particular are difficulties with lack of fine motor skills, arm mobility and hand dexterity. These elderly individuals could enjoy a more independent lifestyle by overcoming these challenges if offered garments that have more efficient designs, given more alternatives, and access to clothing with safety elements. Regarding style preference and cultural factors, the majority of the survey respondents favor textiles that are easy to care for and low in maintenance, and require less laundering and upkeep work. Conclusions: The study identifies the unique dressing needs and preferences of the elderly in Hong Kong. Wear comfort and functionality are their prime concerns. The study also offers a wider range of adaptive clothing options, which take into consideration the cultural factors of Hong Kong. The potential benefits of adaptive clothing for caregivers, nurses, and hospital staff are highlighted which enhance the quality of life and encourage the independence of the aging population. Several specialized adaptive clothing options to accommodate different body sizes and shapes are also proposed.

Source Publication

Advance Research in Textile Engineering

Volume Number

10

Issue Number

1

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