Designing guiding garments for people affected by dementias

Abstract

Our society relies heavily on written or verbal instructions to collate and share information. Cognitive impairments such as dementias decrease the ability to process information on an intellectual level, even though sensory information might still be appreciated. This paper supports the view that aesthetic design can not only make garments more appealing to the target group, but can also enhance the ease of use and ease of understanding of objects. Design can be made functional as well as aesthetically pleasing by encouraging correct use through sensual pleasure and discouraging incorrect use through disagreeable stimuli. This paper focuses on an ongoing short-term research and design project based on literature survey and design proposals with the aim to develop a collection appealing to and easy to use by elderly people with cognitive impairments. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.