Inclusive Clothing Development: The Impact of Design on the Experience of Elderly People
摘要
Population aging is a social phenomenon characterized by an increasing proportion of elderly individuals in the total population. With advancing age, various psychomotor aspects decline due to the changes the body undergoes over time. This study focuses on clothing for elderly individuals with limitations resulting from degenerative joint pathologies. The research aims to develop a product that promotes inclusion, greater comfort, well-being, and self-esteem for the elderly, without stigmatizing them. The objective is to create possibilities for ergonomic clothing for the elderly, addressing both physical and aesthetic needs. The adopted methodology is holistic, using a case study as a starting point and various tools to achieve results, such as direct observation, focus groups, and exploratory and validation usability tests, allowing for a new perspective on the routine of dressing and undressing. After the development and validation of the prototype, it was possible to examine some formal requirements. The analysis of the results showed that the prototype met the established objectives, using wool as a sustainable and biodegradable material, facilitating dressing, and providing greater accessibility for people with fine motor skill difficulties.