Page 52 - Petelin, Ana, and Šarabon, Nejc. 2018. Eds. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Znanstvena monografija / Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 52
avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 52 Office RS, 2018). With the aging there had also been an increase in the number
of people with health problems, mainly with sensory changes, cognitive chang-
es, and weakness (Jaul and Barron, 2017).
The quality of life is also dependent on the architecture. Architecture and
urban planning affect us and our efforts to achieve a good life and dignified
existence (SA, 2009). There are both positive and negative aspects implicit in
the design of the buildings, which is important because senior citizens spend a
great amount of time indoors. While elderly perform their daily indoor activ-�
ities, they are subjected to several risks. At the same time hygienic standards
are crucial due to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to diseases and in-
fections. Consequently, necessary steps need to be taken in the design of spaces
where food is prepared and/or consumed (Torrington et al., 2004). In the mat-
ter of flats (when elderly live in their own homes) Colombo and his colleagues
(1998) identified the most commonly occurring problems facing the elderly,
where 1/3 of the flats were identified as having kitchen-security issues, while
Boyo (2001) claims that 1/10 of elderly users suffer from difficulties regarding
kitchen mobility. A good solution is to design modern residential units with ar-
chitectural and furniture elements that are ergonomically adjusted for end-us-
ers, from both the standpoint of safety and of functionality (Margolin, 1997).
Most flats are designed with young, fit, and active people in mind. Fur-
thermore, inappropriately designed housing space can lead to health problems
and injuries. Changes of the living space with the needs of the elderly can re-
duce the risk of injury by 30 % - 50 %. The age of the furniture and equipment in
their homes also plays an important part in determining functionality. Almost
2/3 of the senior population who live in their homes have not been renovated
or refurnished for over the 20 years, contributing to lower safety and comfort
levels (Anon, 2006). Over 14 % of English elder citizens live in unfit conditions,
in homes that are in dire need of renovation and adaptation (Boyo, 2001). On-
ly 1/10 of them decide to modify their existing furniture and equipment to re-
flect their special needs (Gilderbloom et al., 1996). They often refrain from ren-
ovating due to financial concerns, lessening mobility and fear of the upheaval
of renovation work. Furthermore, the elderly also suffers from inappropriate
room dimensions including rooms which are too big for their (West and Em-
mitt, 2004). We have homeless young adults and we have elderly couples living
on in large detached houses and unwilling to move because of the exceptional
financial disadvantage this would entail (SA, 2009).
Methods
The main aim of the current research was to discover whether people are sat-
isfied with the functionalities of their kitchens and if they feel safe during us-
ing them. The research was carried out via individual surveys. The survey on-
ly includes people over the age of 55. 210 questionnaires were fulfilled, of which
204 were valid.
of people with health problems, mainly with sensory changes, cognitive chang-
es, and weakness (Jaul and Barron, 2017).
The quality of life is also dependent on the architecture. Architecture and
urban planning affect us and our efforts to achieve a good life and dignified
existence (SA, 2009). There are both positive and negative aspects implicit in
the design of the buildings, which is important because senior citizens spend a
great amount of time indoors. While elderly perform their daily indoor activ-�
ities, they are subjected to several risks. At the same time hygienic standards
are crucial due to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to diseases and in-
fections. Consequently, necessary steps need to be taken in the design of spaces
where food is prepared and/or consumed (Torrington et al., 2004). In the mat-
ter of flats (when elderly live in their own homes) Colombo and his colleagues
(1998) identified the most commonly occurring problems facing the elderly,
where 1/3 of the flats were identified as having kitchen-security issues, while
Boyo (2001) claims that 1/10 of elderly users suffer from difficulties regarding
kitchen mobility. A good solution is to design modern residential units with ar-
chitectural and furniture elements that are ergonomically adjusted for end-us-
ers, from both the standpoint of safety and of functionality (Margolin, 1997).
Most flats are designed with young, fit, and active people in mind. Fur-
thermore, inappropriately designed housing space can lead to health problems
and injuries. Changes of the living space with the needs of the elderly can re-
duce the risk of injury by 30 % - 50 %. The age of the furniture and equipment in
their homes also plays an important part in determining functionality. Almost
2/3 of the senior population who live in their homes have not been renovated
or refurnished for over the 20 years, contributing to lower safety and comfort
levels (Anon, 2006). Over 14 % of English elder citizens live in unfit conditions,
in homes that are in dire need of renovation and adaptation (Boyo, 2001). On-
ly 1/10 of them decide to modify their existing furniture and equipment to re-
flect their special needs (Gilderbloom et al., 1996). They often refrain from ren-
ovating due to financial concerns, lessening mobility and fear of the upheaval
of renovation work. Furthermore, the elderly also suffers from inappropriate
room dimensions including rooms which are too big for their (West and Em-
mitt, 2004). We have homeless young adults and we have elderly couples living
on in large detached houses and unwilling to move because of the exceptional
financial disadvantage this would entail (SA, 2009).
Methods
The main aim of the current research was to discover whether people are sat-
isfied with the functionalities of their kitchens and if they feel safe during us-
ing them. The research was carried out via individual surveys. The survey on-
ly includes people over the age of 55. 210 questionnaires were fulfilled, of which
204 were valid.
