Page 51 - Petelin, Ana, and Šarabon, Nejc. 2018. Eds. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Znanstvena monografija / Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 51
ptability in living space for elderly people
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
Abstract
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 injuries, resulting in the loss of independence and
autonomy.
Methods: The aim of research was to determine; whether people are
generally content with the functionalities that their homes, and if the
degree of negative 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 establish 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 research instrument among
people older than 55 years. 210 people participated.
Results: Common shortcomings include insufficient lighting (32 %),
inappropriate sequential composition of work surfaces (56 %), ease of
hygiene maintenance (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
Owing to an increasingly higher standard of living as well as improve-
ments in health care, the proportion of senior citizens in the general
population is rapidly increasing. Statistical prognosis indicates that, by
2030, 36 % of people will be over the age of 60 (Hilderbrand, 2002). Information
from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia states that, in 2018, the
percentage of Slovenian citizens aged over 65 years of age was 19,4 % (Statistic
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-18-4.51-58
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
Abstract
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 injuries, resulting in the loss of independence and
autonomy.
Methods: The aim of research was to determine; whether people are
generally content with the functionalities that their homes, and if the
degree of negative 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 establish 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 research instrument among
people older than 55 years. 210 people participated.
Results: Common shortcomings include insufficient lighting (32 %),
inappropriate sequential composition of work surfaces (56 %), ease of
hygiene maintenance (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
Owing to an increasingly higher standard of living as well as improve-
ments in health care, the proportion of senior citizens in the general
population is rapidly increasing. Statistical prognosis indicates that, by
2030, 36 % of people will be over the age of 60 (Hilderbrand, 2002). Information
from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia states that, in 2018, the
percentage of Slovenian citizens aged over 65 years of age was 19,4 % (Statistic
doi: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-18-4.51-58
