Ergonomics for an Aging Population - Essay Example

Juerg Buehler Dissertation Proposal Ergonomics for an Aging Population - Maintaining Quality of Life at Work and at Home Contents 1 The Research Outline 3 2.1 The Research Proposal 5 2.2 Working Title and Background to the Research 5 2.3 Literature Review 6 2.4 Aims and Objectives of the Study 8 2.5 Research Design and Methodology 9 2.6 Issues Related to Data Collection, Analysis and Data Protection 16 2.7 Required Resources and a Timescale for the Project 19 2.8 Conclusion 20 References / Bibliography 21 1.1 The Research Outline The populations of nearly all developed countries around the world are aging and the elderly, who may be considered to be those with an age of over 60 years, are becoming a significant proportion of the national demographics. Japan, the United States of America and many European countries are examples of such nations. These elderly citizens and those who are approaching their older years want to work longer and their experience is also required to be utilised by the national industry. The elderly citizens will also most likely be living independently due to the individualistic culture of the societies of these developed countries. As a result of the aging process, the elder citizens will have a reduced mobility, agility, strength, a lowered ability to utilize their senses and an increased susceptibility to injury or infection. The capability for exertion will have been reduced as a result of muscle wastage. The anthropometric factors associated with those who are aging will start to deviate from the norm for that of a healthy and young population, as will the human factors requirements (Pendergast), (Posada) and (Griffith). It has been estimated that in the year 2050, about 21 % of the resident population of the United States of America will have special needs as a result of their age (Utamura). Because of changes in their physical and cognitive abilities, these elderly who constitute a significant proportion of the population with more being added to their numbers every day will require that the environments in which they live and work be ergonomically designed to suite their needs (Marut). Space limitations and the escalating cost of land require that high rise buildings and office complexes be constructed but these have to be carefully designed to provide a high quality of living and a productive environment for all including the elderly citizens. In fact having a living or work environment which responds to the needs of the elderly can add to the overall appeal of such an environment. From the proper design of ramps, stairs, steps, bathtubs, showers, lighting, acoustics, views, glare protection and vertical transportation to the selection of colours and the quality of breathing atmosphere etc, there is a very wide scope for the application of ergonomic principles to the design of the office and the residence. Indoor environmental conditions can be strongly linked to worker productivity (Hedge). Even emergencies such as fires have to be considered and provided for (Peacock). The provision of daylight in buildings has an impact on employee turnover, absenteeism and productivity (Torcelini). An investigation into the incorporation of ergonomics into the design of the work and the residential environment which can possibly result in a set of design guidelines will, therefore, be of a real value to a community, in addition to being instructive for the student. These design guidelines will not only add to an understanding of good ergonomic design principles for the aging but they can also be incorporated into building codes for office and residential spaces, enhancing their usability. It is also possible to conduct a survey to determine what users of these spaces will consider as being desirable or what professional designers may have attempted to include in their designs or design practices to enhance the usability of spaces for the aging. Software tools are gradually emerging to simulate design of spaces and ascertain their usability prior to the physical construction of a concept (Noel) and (Davies). Published literature related to ergonomics for the aging, design of spaces etc already exists and this can assist in the qualitative aspects of research, but there is a need for a better investigation of the subject leading to some design guidelines (Peczoli), (Pendergast), (Wilkinson), (Robson), (Norris), (Lund University), (Lee), (Tuulikki), (Standards Association of Canada), (University of Toronto), (Zink), (Chao), (Cornell University), (Edward), (Grandjean), (Hedge), (Holdsworth), (Humanics Ergonomics), (ISIAQ), (Jenso), (Kawakami), (Lim), (Marut) and (OSHA) etc. The next section takes a look at the detailed research proposal for the topic of research, including a brief literature review and the methodology associated with the research. 2.1 The Research Proposal This section presents a detailed proposal for the research project which is proposed to be carried out. A literature review of relevant literature along with the aims and objectives of the proposed study, the research methodology and an estimate for material resources as well as the time required for the completion of the project is presented in the sections below. 2.2 Working Title and Background to the Research Area An appropriate title for the dissertation which will correctly reflect on the nature of the research that will be conducted for the project is: Ergonomics for the Aging Population: Maintaining Quality of Life at Work and at Home As has been previously stated in the research outline, there is a need for designers, builders, ergonomic professionals and the carers of the elderly citizens to think about what can be done to enhance the quality of their lives in the communities in which they live. Because of a substantial increase in the size of the aging population who will like to continue to work in order to support themselves and their communities, there is a definite need to provide work and residential spaces that are “elderly friendly”. By applying ergonomics to the office and work spaces, not only can the quality of life for an increasing proportion of the population be ensured, but the number of injuries can be minimised and the productivity of the workers vastly increased. The application of ergonomics to design for the elderly is not only going to be of benefit to the elderly, but will ensure that investments that have been made in office and residential spaces can continue to suit the needs of the younger generation as they gradually age. More comfortable and productive work spaces are very likely to result and these spaces are more likely to appeal to individuals of all ages. Prevention is better then cure and any additional expenses incurred as a result of the efforts made to construct better spaces is likely to pay handsomely in savings made on medical or psychological care for the aged. With more then 20% of the population in countries including the United States of America, Japan, United Kingdom and many other countries of the world having moved into the age group of the elderly citizens, there is a definite requirement for the community to try and satisfy the needs of such individuals. Many scholars and researchers have already worked on the subject and a literature review of the published literature is presented in the next section. 2.2 Literature Review The process of aging brings about deterioration in physical and cognitive ability as well as a deterioration of the senses. In humans, loss of muscle mass begins around the age of 25 and at the age of 50, there is a 10% loss of skeletal muscle mass followed by a 50% loss of skeletal muscle mass by the age of 80. Deterioration of joints in the human body is also a characteristic of aging (Hedge). Hearing loss, visual and cognitive impairments, increased irritability as a result of unwanted noise or poor lighting and discomfort as well as an increased risk of injury on inappropriate surfaces as well as poorly designed steps or ramps also accompanies the process of aging (Hedge). For people who are 75 years or older, falls are a leading cause of fatal injury and the severity of injuries sustained as a result of falls is quite high. Cataracts, deterioration in corneal pathology, the loss of central vision, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa result in blurred vision which makes it difficult for the aged to accurately detect edges. Provision of appropriate lighting, the use of appropriate colours for carpets and for interior decoration as well as the correct design of stairs, ramps with a provision of handrails is necessary for the aged (Utamura). Adjustable height work surfaces and office furniture, proper design of bath tubs and showers and appropriately designed tools at the work place, even an ergonomically designed mouse can make a difference to user comfort and well being (Hedge). The heating, ventilation and air – conditioning system or HVAC, the lighting system as well as the sound system or the acoustic design in buildings has to be properly designed for environmental comfort and well being. Even the proper floor coverings can make a difference to comfort. Household tasks which are tiring can be made less demanding if proper surfaces and well designed aids are provided. The concepts of Intelligent Buildings and Green Buildings have been developed to communicate to others the efforts which have been undertaken to make these spaces more usable and it is appropriate to have “elderly friendly” spaces (Himanen). Literature has mentioned checklists, such as the Volvo Ergonomic Checklist, that have been produced after ergonomic research to assist in the design of the workplace and there is no reason why such checklists or design guidelines cannot be researched for the elderly at home and at work (Laring) and (Pendergast). Well designed lighting systems in buildings have been associated with superior cognitive performance, lower stress levels and a lack of physiological as well as psychological problems in inhabitants (Torcillini). A lot of work has already been done on the design of proper ventilation or air-supply systems, but there is a need to consider other physical details in light of the modified anthropometric and human factors which have occurred as a result of aging (ISIAQ) and (Wilkinson). Ergonomics coupled with attention to human psychology is most likely to result in an optimal space for the young and the old alike (Peczoli). Leading companies including Toyota have emphasised on ergonomics as a determinant for adding fixed capital assets to their work spaces and it will be appropriate to have some guidelines about what should be considered when investing in such capital investments (Robson). Various products which may be used in the home or office space should be evaluated for safety and usability by the elderly (Norris). Even technology based assistive devices have to be carefully evaluated in regard to how useful they are likely for the aged (Haigh). Enhancing safety for the elderly workers at work and at home is an important task which takes precedence over providing them with a better quality of life. In order to achieve this objective there is a requirement to study the worker, the surrounding equipment and tools as well as the motions or the cognitive efforts which will be made by the workers. It will be necessary to know how the anthropometric factors associated with the elderly have deviated from those of an average adult and to study the activities that are usually carried out by the aging at home as well as at work in order to come up with creative solutions for enhancing safety and comfort in design (Culvenor). Although research has already been performed to produce a handbook of anthropometrics and human factors for the aged, little effort has been made so far to discuss human factors and the elderly living or work environments. Hence, there is a need to try and develop a single reference containing guidelines for design for the aging. The word “design” should be used in a broad context to include design of the living and work environment as well as the home and office tools or equipment which the aging workers may have to use. A study of the work and living environments as well as the tools, equipment or devices which the elderly are like to use can result in concrete recommendations related to design (Pendergast). The next section discusses the aims and objectives of the study. 2.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study The aim of the study will be to consider the living and working environments for the elderly with a view to determining how these environments should be designed and what they may contain which will provide comfort and safety for the elderly. Alternatively, some living and working environments may be surveyed to find out what special efforts have been made to make these environments as comfortable as possible for the aging. As a result of the survey efforts, or the efforts which have been made to think about design for the aging, a set of guidelines in design for the elderly is likely to result. If these guidelines are good enough then they can be incorporated into the general design guidelines for office and residential environments. The next section discusses issues related to research design and methodology. 2.3 Research Design and Methodology It is envisaged that there will be two components of research associated with this project. The qualitative research will be involved with literature review to determine what design guidelines may already have been presented for the aging, while the quantitative research can consist of preparing a survey questionnaire to determine what efforts are made to design for the aging. Ergonomic investigations of the office and living environments, including objects within these environments will result in good practices associated with the design of objects and devices within spaces for the aging. The questionnaire may be presented to professional designers who create the work or living environments as well as device manufacturers for their feedback. Ergonomic studies may be carried out by the investigator to come up with suitable design guidelines in relation to design for the aging. It may also be desirable to present case studies involving a study of the efforts of some reputed companies to provide their aging workers with a comfortable working environment. Case studies of some particularly well designed residential buildings which may be considered to be “elderly friendly” may also be included in the research in order to highlight some of the elderly friendly features which are to be found in such buildings. Any objects which are to be found in the living or work environments may also be studied from an ergonomic perspective for their suitability of use by the aging. Clearly, if it is desired to try and uncover that which is likely to be useful for the aged, or that which is likely to be a nuisance for the aged in buildings, then it is necessary that a model for human aging be considered and attempts should be made, based on the model that has been selected, to try and elicit the opinion of both aged residents and architects or professional designers about what should be included in design guidelines for buildings for the elderly. A comprehensive discussion of human aging models has been presented in (Conn). Although a number of interesting approaches have been presented in the previously mentioned handbook, Chapters 50 and 57 of this handbook presents a discussion related to models, definitions and criteria of frailty. All elderly occupants of a building are likely to either have become frail or they will become frail with the passage of time. The manifestations and markers of frailty, as well as its consequences are presented in the table which is presented below and it can be reasonably assumed that a building which is designed for the elderly should provide maximum protection to all from what develops as a consequence of frailty. Other models related to human aging have also been presented in the abovementioned handbook, such as models for system failure in aging, psychological aging, disease and aging, behaviour and personality in aging and the decline of joints and locomotion in aging, but these will have to be carefully studied in order to try to ascertain how such models may be of use in the proposed investigation. A survey questionnaire for aged residents of buildings and those who are approaching the aged state as well architects and building designers will have to be prepared for this project. Such a survey questionnaire will not only consider manifestations of frailty and its consequences but what desirable features are required by the residents who are or soon will be frail. The views of architects and professional building designers should also be attempted to be captured by using such a questionnaire. Manifestations and Consequences of Frailty (Conn, Pp. 623, 624 and 699) Some of the interesting pieces of information which such a questionnaire should try to capture can include the following (Architecture and Design, Scotland), (FMLink) and (Syed Abdul Harris): What are the good and bad points of the buildings and housing stock that has already been built from the perspective of catering for the needs of the elderly? What are the good and bad points of the buildings and housing that are now being constructed? What needs to be changed in order to try and best provide for the needs of the elder occupants of buildings and housing? What can be done to try and best cater for the impairment of eyesight for the elderly and the frail in their living environment? How should eyesight lighting, screens and signage be best used? What can be done to try and best cater for the impairment of hearing for the elderly and the frail in their abodes? How should fire alarms and evacuation procedures be designed and what should be done for evacuating the elderly in case of a hazard? How can building and housing design assist the elderly to cope with mobility and a varied capacity to cope with their impairments? How should ergonomics be best approached and what can be done to provide for loss of mobility and dexterity, such as the use of door handles, light switches, stairs and sloping walkways etc. What can be done to make a built environment support change that may be required to provide uplift for the elderly? How can a building or a home ambiance be made cognitively uplifting, fulfilling and interesting for the elderly and the frail? What can be done to assist the elderly and the frail to maintain control in the building or housing in which they live? Clearly slippery surfaces, cramped conditions, use of the same colours and an absence of tactile markings are likely to make the elderly lose control. What can be done to help the elderly retain stability in their living environment? The aim of the survey is to try and come up with building standards for buildings that are suited for the older and disabled occupants. Thus, if a building or a home is certified as being up to the standard for older and disabled occupants, then such individuals should be able to purchase these certified buildings or homes with the knowledge that they have purchased the best for their needs. At present, there are no established building standards that cater for the elderly, disabled or the frail. However, builders and construction firms have tried to interest the buyers by declaring that their projects are ISO 9000 certified and this probably means that all the standards of workmanship and material for a construction are rigorous enough to be in line with the ISO 9000. However, if in addition to being ISO 9000 certified, a building or a construction is also “suitable for elderly and frail” certified, then it is likely that many clients will be interested in such developments. Also, attempts that are made to develop and incorporate such standards in building and construction are likely to be welcomed by all those who are involved in design and construction of buildings and also by the aging populations from around the world. The next section discusses issues related to data collection, analysis and data protection. 2.5 Issues Related to Data Collection, Analysis and Data Protection A suitable questionnaire or feedback form will be required to be prepared for presentation to leading architectural, building or interior design specialists as well as device manufacturing / design firms. This form will have to be designed in such a manner that as much information as possible about the design practices to produce a quality living and working environment for the aging is collected. The questionnaire can be emailed to the recipients, indicating that the survey is a part of the ongoing research related to design for the elderly and the completed questionnaires or feedback forms can then be analysed to filter out the most common as well as the most worthy design practices. Responses to the survey may be kept confidential and only the processed results may be presented in the research. In view of the fact that elderly subjects are involved in this study, it is important to consider the ethical aspects of research involving elderly persons for this study. A discussion about ethics for research involving the elderly has been presented in Chapter 7 of the Handbook for Models of Human Aging (Conn). The Belmont Report is a United States study which presents the essence of considerations associated with conducting research which involves elderly persons. Informed consent of subjects, protection of vulnerable elderly research subjects, seeking proxy consent for subjects who may have an impaired decision making capacity and the maintenance of subject confidentiality are important responsibilities that a researcher must abide by when researching with the elderly. It is important that a researcher should design a survey for the elderly that is worth being answered and which is likely to provide significant benefits for knowledge. Thus, it is important that the elderly are not bothered with frivolous and trivial questions that will contribute very little to knowledge and which will not be of any real benefit. An attempt should be made to try to minimize the discomfort that is caused to the elderly and to maximise the benefits. Thus, those who are recruited for a survey should not be so old that they are excessively burdened by a survey questionnaire and perhaps some encouragement or thanks should be extended to those who did participate. The table which has been presented below summarize the important ethical considerations associated with conducting research with the elderly. It is clear that ethical considerations demand that the utmost respect and consideration for the elderly be maintained when researching with older persons and that all questionnaires and procedures be approved by relevant university or institutional authorities. Thus, a special burden is associated with the proper design of questionnaire for the survey and the researcher has to delicately balance the requirements associated with information needs against the burden that is imposed on those who are now old and frail. However, the work that is proposed is important and it is expected that decent treatment of elderly persons which is ingrained in most cultures will adequately guide the researcher who must get all surveys and procedures approved prior to using these in their research. A Summary of Ethical Considerations Associated with Conducting Research with the Elderly 2.6 Required Resources and a Timescale for the Research Project The subject area for the proposed study is full of possibilities and extensive as well as in – depth research is quite possible. However, it is likely that about two months will be required for an extensive literature review and survey questionnaire design. This should be followed by emailing the survey questionnaire / feedback form to selected recipients, followed by further approaches to ensure that a reasonable number of returns have been received. About one and a half month should be allocated to waiting for responses and in this time any visits to industries as well as “elderly friendly” buildings may be conducted. Analysis of results of the survey and information from the visits to workplaces and residential buildings is likely to take up another month. This should be followed by the researcher’s own efforts to analyse the living and work spaces for the elderly as well as some of the objects within these spaces, in order to come up with design guidelines for he aging, an effort taking up about one month. A decent write - up for the entire research is likely to take another 1.5 months. Hence, the total research project is likely to take up about ten to twelve months. The gantt chart presented below summarizes the activities involved in the research. Gantt chart for the Research Project Apart from any requirements associated with travelling to visit office or residential complexes, it is unlikely that any special resources will be required which are not readily available in the university or its library. 3.0 Conclusion The proposed research project is likely to be instructive as well as being of practical importance to almost any community. 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