Design and Product Development

Wearing Well-being: Using Context Mapping toward the Development of Garment Therapy for Elderly Populations

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Abstract

Few forms of human behavior are more pervasive than the use of textiles. Shelter and clothing textile products play a vital role in meeting basic human needs. Clothes are imbued with memories, intertwined with our histories and identities, interwoven into the "fabric of our lives" (Goett, 2008). Often in late stage/assisted living scenarios, care priorities shift from curative measures; the focus often changes to palliative care for the relief of pain, symptoms, and emotional stress. The purpose of this study is to better understand the impact of co-creative design approaches in late-stage eldercare through the development of wearable narratives, garment therapies that are visual, tactile and powerful to the user/creator. We concentrate on developing a design approach that assists in structuring and stimulating narratives. The objective is to understand the mechanisms by which co-creative design can engage "wearers" of design in the creation of wearable therapies that promote well-being. We hypothesize that the textile and garment creation is, in itself, a valuable theraputic tool. Findings from the study revealed that using this design approach to create a textile narrative was a positive experience for the participants. We found interviews and observations of the participants beneficial for generating individualized imagery for the contextmapping exercise. Allowing participants to express themselves through the imagery from the collages was an accessible method for them to contribute to the design process. We found this process both informational and inspirational in creating wearable narratives.

How to Cite:

Lapolla, K. & Cobb, K., (2016) “Wearing Well-being: Using Context Mapping toward the Development of Garment Therapy for Elderly Populations”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 73(1).