Care systems for people with Parkinson's disease and their interaction with clothing: case study in Portugal

Abstract

Clothing products can be stigmatizing when they do not include the users’ needs in their technical-functional and aesthetic characteristics. People with Parkinson’s disease may have difficulties and an inability to dress. As a result, they may need assistance from caregivers and professionals to perform the activity. This article investigated how assisting care can help to promote independence in dress/undress activity for people with Parkinson’s disease in Portugal. The results indicated that the patient’s functional symptoms, the care place, the type of assistance they receive as a stimulus to independence, and the access of products in this system influenced the independence in dress/undress activity. The responsibility and opportunity to discuss non-stigmatizing clothing, that offer viable alternatives to promoting well-being, is important for the discussion about inclusive clothing. Future studies should investigate the usability approach with users to outline relevant guidelines to the inclusive and ergonomics clothing development.

Keywords: Inclusive Fashion, Ergonomics Design, Parkinson’s Disease

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001962