Page 97 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, eds. 2018. Zdravje starostnikov ▪︎ Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 97
ptability in living space for elderly people starostnik – okolje | elderly – environment
Jasna Hrovatin1, David Ravnik2
1 Faculty of Design, Associated member of University of Primorska, Prevale 10,
1236 Trzin, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: Living environment is one of the factors that can contribute to
healthy and safe ageing at home, providing that it is well adapted to the needs
of older adults. On the contrary, it can cause stress, discomfort and lead to in-
juries, resulting in the loss of independence and autonomy.
Methods: The aim of research was to determine; whether people are general-
ly content with the functionalities that their homes, and if the degree of nega-
tive feedback increases with the ages of the users. We tended to pinpoint any
major problems facing elderly people whilst living in their homes, and to estab-
lish a criteria for interior design that could be tailored with senior users in mind,
particularly within the ambit of safety. A survey questionnaire was used as a re-
search instrument among people older than 55 years. 210 people participated.
Results: Common shortcomings include insufficient lighting (32 %), inappro-
priate sequential composition of work surfaces (56%), ease of hygiene mainte-
nance (68 %), inappropriately shaped furniture (72 %), and tasks that become
troublesome because of declining memory (75%).
Discussion and conclusion: The results show that most users do not realize that
they could, with more appropriate interior design, perform daily tasks faster,
safer, and with less effort.
Keywords: furniture, ergonomics, interior design , elderly, environment
95
Jasna Hrovatin1, David Ravnik2
1 Faculty of Design, Associated member of University of Primorska, Prevale 10,
1236 Trzin, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of health Sciences, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
Introduction: Living environment is one of the factors that can contribute to
healthy and safe ageing at home, providing that it is well adapted to the needs
of older adults. On the contrary, it can cause stress, discomfort and lead to in-
juries, resulting in the loss of independence and autonomy.
Methods: The aim of research was to determine; whether people are general-
ly content with the functionalities that their homes, and if the degree of nega-
tive feedback increases with the ages of the users. We tended to pinpoint any
major problems facing elderly people whilst living in their homes, and to estab-
lish a criteria for interior design that could be tailored with senior users in mind,
particularly within the ambit of safety. A survey questionnaire was used as a re-
search instrument among people older than 55 years. 210 people participated.
Results: Common shortcomings include insufficient lighting (32 %), inappro-
priate sequential composition of work surfaces (56%), ease of hygiene mainte-
nance (68 %), inappropriately shaped furniture (72 %), and tasks that become
troublesome because of declining memory (75%).
Discussion and conclusion: The results show that most users do not realize that
they could, with more appropriate interior design, perform daily tasks faster,
safer, and with less effort.
Keywords: furniture, ergonomics, interior design , elderly, environment
95
