Elderly Challenge - Observation 3

0

The elderly seems to usually be alone and having no one to actually support himself or herself. That is why we actually have families. These senior citizens would need something to support or fall back on for basically every aspect in life. These includes financially and mentally and a lot more others. Without their support, they would have to struggle through with pain.

Elderly Challenge - Observation 2

Like most elderly, they do not want to feel trapped inside their respective homes so they would rather go out around and just simply going around, enjoying the fresh air. Most of them do not have own vehicles, (some of them do, but seem to prefer to stay at home instead) so they actually use the public transports available to them to go to their particular destinations. Some just have things to do such as grocery shopping or basic exercise. Yet, they still face difficulties of moving from destination A to B due to their limitations in mobility.

Elderly Challenge - Observation 1

As you can see here, the elderly found in this cafe is spending their time over here to actually have a meal. Although it does seem that it is not during any of the time when we usually have our lunch/dinner. Being in the near afternoon, they would more prefer to go out eating meals with their friends or other seniors to actually talk with about everyday situations. Because of this, they would much more prefer to actually eat outside and stay in touch with their friends as well as enjoy the outdoors instead of eating at home which they are usually lonely.

Ergonomics II

1. What is Ergonomics?
2. What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
3. For each aspects of Ergonomics, explain with an example of a product that is designed for the elderly, how the product meet that particular aspect of Ergonomics.

1. Ergonomics is the efficiency of the way people work in a working environment.
2. They are comfort, safety, ease of use, productivity/performance and aesthetics. (Source: http://www.slideshare.net/vins049/ergonomics-automotive-presentation)
3. Products for:
Safety - Single Outlet Surge Protector. Protects against power surges or wiring failure so it could also prevents fire and injuries to the owner. (http://www.senior-friendlyproducts.com/single-outlet-surge-protector.html)

Comfort - Traction Sole Slipper Socks. It is safe and warm in addition with its other features. (http://www.senior-friendlyproducts.com/senior-friendly-products-treadmate-socks--3-pair-pac3.html)

Ease of use - The Grabber Tool. It is easily being used and the things around them are easily accessible without stress. (http://www.senior-friendlyproducts.com/deluxe-pickup-amp-reaching-tool.html)

Productivity/Performance - Tools Screwdriver, 10 in 1. This helps the elderly to carry out the normal fixing routines with ease and faster too as they do not have to change it which is time-consuming. (http://www.senior-friendlyproducts.com/10-in-1-screwdri102.html)

Aesthetics - The Samsung C20. It is really elderly-friendly due to its sleek and small design to make it on-the-go type of video camcorder. With the functions really simple too that seniors can record videos of the same quality as any other person could. It really is that simple. (http://www.eldergadget.com/camcorder/the-samsung-c20-as-senior-friendly-as-camcorders-come)

Ergonomics I

1. Compare the 2 different workplaces, state your observations.
Compared to workplace 2, workplace 1 seems to be less of a efficient working environment because it seems to be uncomfortable, complicated, unorganised and distracting/disruptive. The space around the worker in workplace 1 seems to have a limited amount of space, thus, making the work much harder for the worker to actually carry out what he has to do whereas in workplace 2, he could do everything he needed to do with ease and also, comfort. All of the designs are also adjustable to fit one’s preferences. This is actually a good initiative as different people would actually have different preferences of their own and thus, making to only one preference, like the workplace 1’s working furniture, could cause a lot of problems to those who cannot adapt to it. Another thing is that workplace 1 seems to be much more safer than workplace 2 too and that is one of the important factors in ergonomics that we would have to take note.
2. Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.
Workplace 2 is much preferred over workplace 1 as it actually has all the innovative products that actually make the working environment around someone easily accessible. In addition to that, it makes doing work painless and without stress needed. For example, the freedom chair does not actually constrict movement whereas the chair from workplace 1 causes a lot of problems as it is hard to move about and you really need to move a lot when you’re working in the office or a working environment. Height and depth was also being taken to notice as it could disrupt your eyesight and slow down the working process. Also, workplace 2 seems to be much safer than workplace 1.
3. What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?
There are actually five main important factors. They are the comfort and simplicity, the height and depth, the lighting around, the freedom of movement and usable desk space.
4. Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?
Ergonomics is important as it could actually affect the way someone actually works as it is actually the working environment around them. Ergonomics could also affect the product rate of a particular company, thus affecting the economy.

Simple Elderly Home Layout

This is just a simple sketch of an elderly’s home which I propose. Starting from the living room, we can have coffee tables right in front of the elderly’s chair so they could eat easily in comfort. The coffee table’s table can also be folded to the side so that the elderly can use the table as a safe passageway to the chair while holding on the the sides of the table so it can act as a way to support the elderly as well. The chair can have comparements so it will be easier for the elderly to use the remotes etc.

On the side maybe some fish tank/paintings etc. Potruding from the fish tank is actually a compartment where you can put fish food inside so accidents may be prevented compared to climbing a top as quite a number of elderly usually keeps fish tanks. This can also be a place to socialise as well if you put the number of chairs inside.

For the windows, to express some freedom so the elderly won’t feel like they are being in a cage, there is no window-grills to cover it but there will be a net which is almost invisible to protect them. There is also a compartment potruding out below the window to prevent the elderly from going too near.

The bedroom. The bed is much more lower when compared to a normal one so the elderly will not have any problems or face any when going on. There is also a safe-guard on the side that could be pulled up so the elderly need not fear of falling off. On the side is also a table of the same height so they could reach it with ease.

Holiday Work 1 - Understanding the Elderly

This report is saying that we should be having more houses that are elderly-friendly. To make the elderly carry out their everyday activities without difficulty and with ease like any normal person would.
Secondly, the elderly would be able to mix around with the people around them with ease and should not have something blocking them, just because they are much more older than the others.
The elderly should not have a disadvantage financially because of their age and should be taken more initiative by the government and being treated fairly also.
The elderly would be also able to participate in activities of normal people and should not be left out too.

They’re recommending that HDB should be providing more rental housing options available for the seniors.

The government should top-up accounds of less welloff Singaporeans when there are budgetary surpluses. The government also should set up a Caregiver Centre to support families in care-giving through provision of information resources and programmes.

As an SST student, I could interact with them. When their family is not their first line of support, they would usually feel lonely so by meeting up with them, it could really help them a lot.
Helping them out with their usual household chore work voluntarily also works out as it can start a friendship and we may also learn a thing or two from them.
Just by being polite and making it convenient to them also helps such as holding the lift button for them.