Designing for Elderly Well-being

Factors Affecting Well-being of Elderly Individuals

• Color scheme can impact elderly individuals' well-being: red, yellow, and orange colors increase pulse, blood pressure, and appetite, while blue, green, and brown colors are relaxing and suitable for bedrooms.
• Grey and black colors are depressing and should be avoided.
• Contrasting colors can be used to define doors and stairs, especially for cognitively impaired individuals.

Furniture Arrangement

• Furniture should be appealing, functional, and comfortable.
• Material should be easy to clean, fire-resistant, and have no sharp edges.
• Chairs should have armrests for support and assistance, and be at an appropriate height to allow feet to rest flat on the floor with no pressure behind the knees.
• Excessive furniture can increase the risk of falls and contusion, especially for cognitively impaired elders.
• Simple furniture arrangements are best.

Temperature Control

• Older adults are sensitive to lower environmental temperatures due to lower body temperature and decreased natural insulation.
• The recommended room temperature for an older person should not be lower than 24°C.
• Room temperature less than 24°C can lead to hypothermia in elderly individuals.

Hyperthermia

• Hyperthermia, or elevated body temperature, can cause brain damage if the temperature exceeds 41°C.
• Individuals with diabetes or cerebral atherosclerosis are at increased risk of becoming hypothermic.

Ventilation

• Adequate ventilation is essential for introducing fresh air and removing stale air.
• Proper ventilation helps eliminate bad odors caused by natural processes in a closed environment.
• Poor ventilation can negatively affect the psychological state of elderly individuals and make it unpleasant for caregivers to work in the environment.

Noise Pollution

• Noise pollution from sources like television, traffic, conversations, or appliances can interfere with the sounds elderly persons want to hear.
• The problem of poor hearing in older individuals, due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), can be exacerbated by noise.
• Noise can lead to physical and emotional stress, including frustration.

Mobility Aids

• Many elderly persons use mobility aids due to various health concerns.
• Arthritis is a common condition that can limit mobility and increase the risk of falls.
• Falls can lead to fractures, which may necessitate the continued use of mobility aids.

Chemical Hazards

• Chemicals can be present in the home in many forms, such as liquid or gas.
• Common household chemicals can cause illness, skin irritation, or breathing problems.
• Chemical fumes can come from solvents such as gasoline, propane, and carbon monoxide.
• Intentional exposure to chemicals such as herbicides or pesticides can lead to death or long-term injury.
• Always read chemical labels carefully, and store chemicals properly in a safe location.

Biological Hazards

• Working with people, animals, or infectious plant material can cause biological hazards.
• Biological hazards are common in elderly homes, and can include blood, bodily fluids, viruses, animal bites, bacteria, and insects.

Light and Safety

• Light affects function, orientation, mood, and behavior of elderly people.
• Elderly people are more mobile in a bright lit area.
• Diffuse lights are preferable over a few bright ones.
• Night lights help elderly people find light switches.
• Motion sensitive light or touch-activated light is beneficial.
• Fluorescent light can cause eyestrain and glare.
• Light should be placed at the top and bottom of staircases to eliminate shadows.

Floor Covering

• Carpets provide warmth and comfort but increase the risk of falls.
• Carpets can hinder mobility for wheelchair users.
• Carpets are difficult to clean and can trap smoke, odors, or pests.
• Ensure all rugs are slip-resistant, and use rubber matting on the bottom of rugs to prevent unwanted movement.

Food and Electrical Hazards

• Biological hazards are common in elderly homes, and can include foodborne illness.
• Washing fruits, vegetables, and hands before preparing food prevents foodborne illness.
• Clean surfaces where food is prepared to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• Store food in a refrigerator to prevent serving raw foods.
• Accidents in elderly homes often result from thermal hazards, such as hot water, hot drinks, open heaters, matches, cigarette smoke, and flammable liquids.
• Ensure candles are not left unattended, and be careful around an electrical outlet with water.
• Inspect electrical appliances and wiring for defects, and re-route extension cords and electrical plugs to improve safety and organization.

Thermal Electrical Hazards for Seniors

• Room heaters, heating pads, and electrical blankets often lead to thermal electrical hazards for seniors.
• Recommend that seniors use these items to warm their beds before turning them off and going to sleep.

Safety Management of Elderly People

• Safety tips relevant to the elderly include gas furnace safety, psychosocial hazards, and ergonomic hazards.
• Factors that should be considered in ergonomic hazards include type of work, body position, and working conditions.
• Types of ergonomic hazards include lifting, pushing, and pulling, lighting, noise, and systems and computer programs.

Bathroom Safety

• Many accidental injuries occur in bathrooms, and attention should be given to the following aspects:
  • A small light should always be in the bathroom.
  • Towels, hair dryers, and other items should not be left on the bathroom floor.
  • The bathroom floor should be kept clean and dry to avoid slippery surfaces.
  • Leaking faucets should be corrected to avoid slippery surfaces and falls.
  • Round shape faucets can be difficult to use and may cause burns to older persons.
  • Color-coding of faucet may be helpful to differentiate between hot and cold water.
  • A shower bath seat offers a place to sit while showering, and arresting points while lifting to transfer "out of the" tub.
  • It is preferable to use rubber tub mats to avoid slippery surfaces.
  • Grab-bars on walls and safety rails attached to the side of the tub and toilet offer support during transfer and a source of stabilization while bathing or sitting/standing from toilets.
  • Raised seat attachments can be useful for toilets.

Stairways Safety

• Handrails should not be forcing elderly with impaired balance and agility to forward to use the handrails.
• Outline the edge of each step with a luminescent or contrast tape or color to point top and bottom steps to be easily noticed.
• Avoid using carpet on stairs and avoid placing small rugs near stairs.

Bedroom Safety

• Check the height and firmness of the mattress in relation to the elderly person's height.
• Mobility problems and back pain can be caused by an incorrect mattress.
• If the bed has handrails, be sure that they are not left out of their sockets, for serious bruises and falls front against them.
• Keep beds in the lowest positions, with the wheels (if present) locked or removed.
• All lumps, machines, or appliances should be checked on a routine basis for frayed cords.
• Arrange telephone wire, call bell cords, tubes, and other equipment so they are not in the elderly person's way when they are getting out of bed.
• Avoid smoking in bed.

Kitchen Safety

• The stove should be free of grease and flammable objects.
• Elderly people should not cook while wearing loose clothing.
• Because elderly people have decreased olfactory senses, a fatal gas leak may not be easily detected.
• There should be a fire extinguisher and fire escape plan in the kitchen.
• The refrigerator should be functional and food should be properly labeled and stored.
• Storage cabinets should be easy to reach.
• The system for trash and garbage disposal should be in place.
• General cleanliness and the presence of household pests should be noted.
• Any leaks should be dried immediately.