elderly-challenge-observation-3

(continuing from last week)
This week I have observed that the elderly have some problems: 3. Safety at home

- Toilet

Problem 1: When the elderly goes to the washroom to clean up or bathe, the toilet floor is usually slippery. The elderly will have a higher chance of falling down and end up injured. This can be avoided by a few simple measures.

Solution 1: Build in handrails at a suitable height and have an anti-slip mat on the bathroom floor. There also can be an emergency telephone in the toilet in case of an emergency, the elderly will be able to call for help.

Problem 2. The washroom is usually very cramped. If an elderly is not able to stand up without support, this makes moving around in the toilet very hard.

Solution 2: Make a bigger toilet such that it will be able to fit a wheelchair.

Problem 3: The elderly may not know how to adjust the temperature of water and may burn themselves with hot water.

Solution 3: Have an indicator to state that the water is hot enough.

Problem 4: Some elderly people are unable to turn the tap as they have arthritis.

Solution 4: Have an automatic tap (the temperature of the water of this tap must not be too hot nor too cold)

- Bedroom

Problem 1: Elderly people usually find it hard to get up from bed without any support.

Solution 1: Build handrails on their bedside. This will also prevent the elderly from falling off the bed. (there is a gap in the handrail so that the elderly will be able to get off and on their bed while holding the handrail)

Problem 2: When the elderly wants to go to sleep at night, they will usually have to turn off the light switch and fumble their way back to their bed. This may cause the elderly to bump into sharp ends and hurt themselves.

Solution 2: Have a bedside light-switch to enable to turn off and on the light so that they do not need to fumble and find their way back in the dark. (there can also be a emergency connection so that an emergency ambulance can be dispatched as soon as the connection is pulled)

- Kitchen

Problem 1: Most elderly use a kettle to boil hot water for themselves. This may be hazardous as they may forget what they were doing and a fire might break out.

Solution 1: Have an indicator and alarm to remind the elderly that the water is boiled.

Problem 2: When cooking on the stove, the elderly usually have use a gas stove to cook food on an open fire. If the elderly are forgetful, the food might boil over and in some cases might catch fire.

Solution 2: Use an improved induction cooker whereby there are large buttons and a timer that is easy to use so that the elderly will be able to put food on the induction cooker without worry that the food might boil over. There is also a sensor whereby if the food boils over, the cooking will automatically stop.

- Living Room

Problem 1: When there are visitors, the elderly may not be able to hear the doorbell ring and the visitor will be left standing outside the door. (especially when they are sleeping) Even if they can hear the doorbell, they have to get up and go to the door. They then have to look through the peephole. However, due to their failing eyesight, they are able to see the person clearly through the peephole. They will have to open the door to see who the person is clearly.

Solution 1: Have two big television monitor, one located in the bedroom and the other located beside the door.This will enable the elderly will be able to check and see whether there is someone outside their door and who it is. The volume of the bell can also be adjustable so that during the day the elderly will be able to hear if someone rings the bell. If the elderly does not want to be disturbed, the elderly will be able to adjust the volume.