Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article focuses on garments used in care environments. We investigate a patient overall, developed for the care of people with severe memory problems, severe learning difficulties and brain injuries. The aim of the use of a patient overall is to prevent undressing in socially inappropriate situations and/or to stop the user from removing an incontinence pad. This article is based on interviews of designers of medical textiles and patients and family carers in Finland. Both designers and patients found patient overalls to be infantilizing and stigmatizing for the user but accepted the basic functions of the product. We report results of a design project aimed at designing a new type of garment that takes into account the technical requirements but provides a more dignified look and opportunities for activity. We discuss the ethical issues concerning the use of this kind of product in the care of people with dementia.

Keywords

dementia design incontinence medical textiles memory problems

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Eloniemi-Sulkava

(2002). Supporting community care of demented patients. Kuopion yliopiston julkaisuja D279. Kuopio: Kuopion yliopisto.

Entwistle

(2000). The fashioned body: Fashion, dress and modern social theory. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Holstein

J. A.

Gubrium

J. F.

(1995). The active interview. Qualitative research methods 37. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.

Iltanen

(2007). Minihameesta mummonmekkoon. Teollinen vaatesuunnittelu ja keski-ikäisten naisten vaatekäytännöt sosiaalista ikää rakentamassa. [From mini-skirts to granny dresses: Industrial fashion design and practices of middle-aged women constructing social age. Abstract in English.] Taideteollisen korkeakoulun julkaisusarja A80. Helsinki: Taideteollinen korkeakoulu [Helsinki University of Art and Design]. Retrieved 20 July 2011 from https://www.taik.fi/kirjakauppa/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=174.

Iltanen

Topo

(2007a). Ethical implications of design practices. The case of industrially manufactured patient clothing in Finland, Conferences proceedings, Konstfack, 27–30 May 2007, Stockholm.

Iltanen

Topo

(2007b). Potilasvaatteet, pitkäaikaishoidossa olevan ihmisen toimijuus ja etiikka – vaatesuunnittelijoiden näkemyksiä. [Patient clothing, agency of the persons in long-term care and ethics - Designers' views. Abstract in English]. Gerontologia, 21(3), 231–245.

Latour

(1988). Mixing humans and nonhumans together: The sociology of a door-closer. Social Problems, 35, 298–310.

Namazi

K. H.

DiNatale Johnson

(1991). Environmental effects on incontinence problems inAlzheimer's disease patients. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 6(6), 16–21.

National Framework for High-Quality Services for Older People (2008). Ministry of Social Affairs and Health publications 2008:5. Helsinki: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Retrieved 20 July 2011 from http://www.stm.fi/julkaisut/julkaisuja-sarja/nayta/_julkaisu/1063089#en.

10.

Offermans

M. P.

Du Moulin

M. F.

Hamers

J. P.

Dassen

Halfens

R. J.

(2009). Prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated risk factors in nursing home residents: A systematic review. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 28(4), 288–294.

11.

Schnelle

J. F.

Leung

F. W.

(2004). Urinary and fecal incontinence in nursing homes. Gastroenterology, 126(1 Suppl 1), S41–S47.

12.

Topo

Iltanen-Tähkävuori

(2010). Scripting patienthood with patient clothing. Social Science & Medicine, 70(11), 1682–1689.

13.

Twigg

(2010). Clothing and dementia: A neglected dimension?. Journal of Aging Studies, 24(4), 223–230.

14.

Wikberg

(2008). Vanhuus muokkaa mielikuvia. Master's Theses. Helsinki: Taideteollinen korkeakoulu [Helsinki University of Art and Design].

Design and dementia: A case of garments designed to prevent undressing

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References