International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research
Inputs | • Literature analysis. |
• Semi-structured interviews with caregivers, elderly, manufacturers. | |
• Expert input (care givers, researcher, designer, producer). | |
• Brainstorming activities to identify potentials for innovation. | |
Analysis | • Evaluation and structuring of information gathered. |
• Formulation of summaries in reports. | |
• Highlight the main findings and refine ideas in expert group meetings. | |
• Identification of barriers which prevent progress. | |
Outcomes | |
Short term | • Definition of care related requirements for textiles. |
• Improved understanding of the functionalities required for textiles in care. | |
• Understand and reduce the barriers which prevent progress. | |
Medium term | • Initiation of better targeted research and development activities for textiles to be used in care. |
• Increase the number of functional textile products available to reduce work load in care. | |
• Administer educational tools to better inform the public about the functionality of textiles to be used in care. | |
• Increase awareness of the importance of textiles as a product group and how they can assist and benefit caregivers in daily work. | |
Long term | • Better definition of needs and function which lead to improved product performance supporting the idea of independent living and thus improving the quality of life for the elderly. |
• Support of care workers through use of textiles with better fitted performance | |
• Reduced costs for care through prolonged period of independent living of elderly. |