Currently submitted to: JMIR Aging
Date Submitted: Apr 17, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 18, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026
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Dressing, Dignity, and Data: Exploring Apparel-Integrated Technologies Supporting Aging-in-Place with Dementia
ABSTRACT
Background:
As the global population ages, technology-enabled apparel has emerged as a potential solution to support aging-in-place for individuals living with dementia.
Objective:
This scoping review maps the landscape of wearable, apparel-integrated technologies designed to assist people with dementia in community-based settings. ulation ages, technology-enabled apparel has emerged as a potential solution to support aging-in-place for individuals living with dementia.
Methods:
Following Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework, five stages were implemented: identifying the research questions, selecting relevant studies, charting data, and synthesizing results. A multi-database search strategy retrieved 270 records, from which 21 articles were included after rigorous screening and consensus-based full-text review. Data were extracted across multiple domains, including apparel functionality, technological features, target populations, and caregiver involvement.
Results:
Thematic analysis revealed five primary functional roles of technology-enabled apparel: dressing assistance, physical monitoring, cognitive monitoring, therapeutic support, and care coordination. While most studies emphasized safety and monitoring, few addressed user dignity, ethical considerations, or co-design with people living with dementia. Findings suggest that although wearable apparel technologies are evolving, significant gaps remain in user-centered design, real-world application, and ethical implementation.
Conclusions:
This review highlights the importance of involving people with dementia early in the development process, aligning innovations with their values, and shifting the focus beyond caregiver and technology-centric priorities. Future research should prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration and longitudinal evaluation to ensure these technologies enhance, rather than compromise, autonomy and quality of life.
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