Three evaluations of task-surface heights in elderly people's homes

Kirvesoja, Heli; Väyrynen, Seppo; Häikiö, Ari

doi:10.1016/s0003-6870(99)00044-7

Cited by 27 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This possibly introduces other problems, such as increased straining and time on the toilet due to an unfavourable posture (Dov Sikirov, 2003). Kirvesoja et al (2000) found indications for discomfort during prolonged sitting on elevated chairs.The method of using supports is the topic of this study. Supports allow the muscles of the legs to be assisted by the muscles of the arms and enlarge the footprint, enabling a more stable sequence of movements while sitting down and standing up.…”

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Hand supports to assist toilet use among the elderly

et al. 2007

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Improving the toilet environment holds promises for increasing the quality of life for elderly and disabled persons. This is one of the goals of the Friendly Rest Room (FRR) project.The study described in this article explored the preference and use of supports in the toilet environment during the entire toilet ritual.An adjustable test frame was built with a toilet and three types of supports. Fourteen subjects were asked which positions they favoured for each support. After using all three supports they were asked which support they found most comfortable.In general, the preferred positions depended on personal preferences more than on dimensions of the body. It was concluded that there is a preference for vertical supports for sitting down and standing up. During toilet use the side supports were equally appreciated.Keywords: support, toilet, elderly IntroductionFor many elderly and disabled persons using the toilet is a problem: when help is needed their quality of life often drastically decreases. This research is part of the Friendly Rest Room (FRR) project which aims to study problems with existing rest rooms and to develop a friendly toilet environment: friendly to the largest possible group of users, for use at home, in homes for the elderly, hospitals or public environments. The FRR project is supported by the EU within the 'Quality of Life and Management of Living Resource' programme and Key Action 6: 'The Ageing Population and Disabilities' of the European Union.Ageing people in general deal with decrease of physical, psychomotoric and sensory capacities (Molenbroek, 1987). Because sitting down and getting up require postural control, the elderly are likely to have more trouble than younger people (Mourey et al., 1998).The most frequently applied method to deal with sitting down on and rising from toilets is the installation of a raised toilet. This possibly introduces other problems, such as increased straining and time on the toilet due to an unfavourable posture (Dov Sikirov, 2003). Kirvesoja et al. (2000) found indications for discomfort during prolonged sitting on elevated chairs.The method of using supports is the topic of this study. Supports allow the muscles of the legs to be assisted by the muscles of the arms and enlarge the footprint, enabling a more stable sequence of movements while sitting down and standing up. Raised toilets and supports are often combined to decrease problems with toilet use. 2Hand supports to assist toilet use among the elderlyThe ultimate friendly rest room will adapt to the user, as opposed to a toilet environment that the user has to adapt to. Within the FRR project an extensive search (Buzink et al., 2005) was conducted to find relevant literature for determining support types and positions.The most relevant publication (Bosman, 1999) reported that slightly more than half of the elderly prefer getting up with a pulling motion. A quarter of the subjects favoured a combination of pulling and pushing. The overall conclusion from this article is that the eld...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hand supports to assist toilet use among the elderly

et al. 2007

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“…The project team developed new design concepts for kitchen lines, as well as devices for physical It has been found that there is no other publication within the available literature that presents research into the design work for kitchens produced for the elderly and people with motor impairment, which simultaneously uses traditional and environmental design methods. There are publications that refer to the design of bespoke kitchen lines for elderly and/or disabled people (e.g., [35][36][37][38][39][40][41]), but none of them consider the environmental aspects of the respective processes. On the other hand, there are publications that deal with kitchen eco-design but without any specific consideration of the needs of elderly and/or disabled people, e.g., [42][43][44][45].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Design: A Case of Environmental and Cost Life Cycle Assessment of a Kitchen Designed for Seniors and Disabled People

et al. 2017

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Sustainable production and consumption patterns require a change in approach at the early conceptual stages, i.e., when planning and designing products and services. This article presents an example of sustainable kitchen design aimed at the needs of seniors and people with physical disabilities, which takes into account social, economic, and environmental aspects. The interdisciplinary project team used a variety of traditional design methods such as the identification of requirements using QFD (Quality Function Deployment) and FMEA (Failure Mode Effects Analysis), the development and verification of the technical concepts of the designed objects and their use, the development of construction and technological documentation, assembly drawings of the product architecture and its parts, function cost analysis, virtual and real prototyping, and tools based on the concept of a life cycle such as environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC). The analysis of the design solutions from the point of view of several criteria and several life cycle stages shows the complexity of the decision-making process and the difficulties in selecting a clearly favourable solution. Environmentally preferred materials may be difficult for users to accept due to their costs. On the other hand, materials that have a high environmental impact at the production stage may show great potential for final disposal.

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“…However, significant differences may occur between therapists and older adults' perceptions in relation to the best height of a chair. [24] One of the factors that play a role in this could be that the optimum seat height for ease of rising is not necessarily the same as the optimum seat height required for comfort. Therefore, seat height chosen to maximize the ease of rising may be slightly higher than that chosen for comfort.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How are service users instructed to measure home furniture for provision of minor assistive devices?

Atwal

McIntyre

Spiliotopoulou

et al. 2016

Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology

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Purpose: Measurements play a vital role in providing devices that meet the individual needs of users. There is increasing evidence of devices being abandoned. The reasons for this are complex but one key factor that plays a role in non-use of equipment is the lack of fit between the device, environment and person. In addition, the abandonment of devices can be seen as a waste of public money. The aim of this paper is to examine the type, the readability, and the content of existing guidance in relation to measuring home furniture. Method: An online national survey involving health and social care trusts in the UK. We conducted a synthesis of leaflets associated with measurement of furniture to identify existing guidance. The content and readability of this guidance was then evaluated. Results: From the 325 responses received, 64 therapists reported using guidance. From the 13 leaflets that were analysed, 8 leaflets were found to meet Level 3 Adult Literacy Standards (age 9-11). There were differences in the way in which the measurement of furniture items occurred within the leaflets with no measurement guidance reported for baths. Conclusion: There is a need to standardize guidance to ensure that measurements are reliable. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONOur research has highlighted the need to confirm and agree measurement techniques for home furniture in the provision of assistive devices. Inaccurate guidance can lead to abandonment of devices. Inaccurate guidance could prevent service users from not participating within the self-assessment process for devices. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Three evaluations of task-surface heights in elderly people's homes

Cited by 27 publications

References 8 publications

Hand supports to assist toilet use among the elderly

Hand supports to assist toilet use among the elderly

Sustainable Design: A Case of Environmental and Cost Life Cycle Assessment of a Kitchen Designed for Seniors and Disabled People

How are service users instructed to measure home furniture for provision of minor assistive devices?

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