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
The aim of the investigation is to explore the unique experiences of older people with dementia from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. To do this I will specifically analyse the relationship between persons from the BAME communities, dress and identity in order to add to the knowledge base of lives lived by persons with dementia. Through fieldwork undertaken in a care-home setting I aim to investigate
• to what extent the experience of dress by persons with dementia from the BAME communities might be qualitatively different to those from the non-migrant community
• to what extent the inter-relatedness of dress and identity might contribute to our understanding of people with dementia
• to what extent women and men with dementia are able to construct their identities through clothing
• 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. Fundamentally, the aim is to promote a sense of well-being.The participants will be recruited on the advice of the management team of the care-home. I aim to recruit 10 – 15 participants whilst undertaking a year’s fieldwork at two different care homes –recruiting a total of 20 -30 participants over a two year period.
I will embark on a variety of qualitative research methods - these will include photography, sketching, and semi-structured interviews (where questions are open-ended, allowing for new ideas and directions from the participant). I intend to use photography and sketching to demonstrate how people living with dementia interact with, relate to, and wear clothing and all that’s associated with it, for example fabric, surfaces, texture, colour and memories.
I am hoping that the positive benefits of the study will outweigh any negative impact the study might have, by achieving a sense of well-being through engaging the residents in stimulating activities around the subject of dress and its associated aspects. In addition to benefits for individual residents, it is my aim that my study contributes significantly to our understanding of persons living with dementia, specifically those from the BAME communities.
This study is being funded by the University for the Creative Arts.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1790
Date of REC Opinion
1 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion