THE AGEING BODY: DRESS, DEMENTIA AND IDENTITY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
THE AGEING BODY: DRESS, DEMENTIA AND IDENTITY
IRAS ID
213463
Contact name
Ezinma Mbonu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University for the Creative Arts
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research relating to dementia and dress is relatively new and still in its infancy, however Julia Twigg (2010, 2013, 2014), Christina Buse (2013, 2014) and Richard Ward (2014) have undertaken studies on the subject. A review of the literature highlights the dearth of scholarship that links the notion of personhood, identity, and dress to persons living with dementia especially from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.
The aim of the investigation is to explore the unique experiences of older people from BAME communities living with dementia, to allow for a more inclusive understanding of lives lived with the condition. Through using the materiality of clothing as a lens to explore notions of personhood, embodiment, agency and identity of persons with dementia, especially from the BAME community, the intended outcome is to greatly enhance the sense of well-being amongst people living with dementia, especially those from the BAME community, a community that is so often marginalised.I aim to investigate the following:
• To what extent the experience of dress by persons with dementia from the BAME communities might be qualitatively different from the non-migrant community
• To what extent interaction with dress can enable a better understanding of the experiences of a person with dementia, and can be used as the basis of beneficial activities in the care home setting to enhance a sense of well-being.A maximum of ten participants who have given consent themselves (or by proxy) to participate in the study.
The positive benefits of the study will outweigh any negative impact of the study. It is important and much needed qualitative research due to its paucity. This research will generate generalizable themes that will help to create a more inclusive understanding of lives lived by different people living with dementia.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0133
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion