Exploring design factors in designing horticultural garments for older adults

Gardening is a common leisure pursuit for many older individuals, and previous research found that gardening activities provide numerous health benefits. Many hazardous situations can occur when gardening, and experts have suggested that older gardeners wear protective gardening garments when gardening. However, there is a lack of research about the important features that must be considered for gardening garments, particularly for older individuals. Thus, this study investigated important design factors for developing gardening garments for older adults, including their design preferences for such garments. This study focused on the population who were born before the year 1960, as this age cohort has begun retiring and shows significant buying power. Indepth interviews and surveys were conducted to achieve the research purpose. The findings from this study will offer insights for designers who seek to better understand and market to this age cohort by designing relevant garments for their gardening activities.