Admt-Elderly_reflections

1) What have you learnt?
I have learnt how to identify problems that the elderly faces and how to find a solution for it, that is to see the problem in a more detailed manner, and find the flaw. I have also learnt how to improve on ideas, for example how to improve the existing product and how to improve my previous product ideas. I also learnt how to analysis my idea product ideas, to help me further improve on the idea to suit the needs of the elderly, using strategies such as SCAMPER. I have also learnt to test my product, base on the design considerations. During this process, I applied some of the 10Cs, such as creativity, to improve on my ideas, collaboration of information from sources such as the internet and critical thinking to design the product to suit and benefit the elderly.

2) What are the difficulties encountered?
It took me some time to think so find a way to further improve my product idea and to solve the flaws. Some of the features of my product did not suit the elderly.

3) How did you overcome the difficulties?
I used strategies such as SCAMPER to help me think of ways to further improve the idea and did more research on the internet on the problem so that I would know what would be suitable for the elderly and that it will benefit it.

Link your reflection based on the 10 Cs.

T4WK2_Reflection

1. What are the difficulties that you have encountered during the process?
2. How do you overcome the difficulties encountered?
3. What are the 2 key takeaways for this lesson?

During the process, the examples given to us for the activity were vague. Therefore, it was difficult to give an example of our own that would suit it. Then we would have to think of a product design to test on.

We had to spend time discussing and coming up with a product that would suit.

I have learnt that we have to detailed in stating our product design. We need to know how to test the product, identifying if it is a quantitative or qualitative test.

Egonomics (Product description and Idea Trigger)

i) Describe the product. (Appearance, Color, Function, etc) It acts as a brush for shoe. Its body is blue in colour. The brush at both ends are white in colour. There are two brushes, a bigger one and a smaller one, one at each end. The bigger brush is used for the wider surfaces of the shoe, like the sole of the show. The smaller brush is for the smaller and narrow surfaces of the shoe, such as the sides of the shoe. The grip of the brush is not very good as there is no rubber grip. The body of the brush is shaped in a curvy way for the ease and comfort of the user. ii) What are the design considerations when designing this product? The design ought to meet and suit the needs of the user, in this case would be the elderly. The designs and patterns on the product should not be too fanciful as most elderly prefer plain designs. iii) Would an elderly faced difficulty using this product? If yes, what are the difficulties that the elderly would face? Yes, the elderly would face difficulties using this product. The elderly might not have good grip on the product as the product is quite slim and it does not have rubber grip. The elderly might have difficulties using the brush as the brushes are not very board in area. It might help them if the Bigger Brush of the product was bigger, reducing the effort and time needed to clean the shoe as the brush covers more area each time. What do you think can be done to improve on the design of the product to suit the elderly? (Sketch the improved design in your sketchbook and take a picture of it. Post the improved sketch at the end of your post.) The design can be improved by modifying it to eliminate the difficulties that the elderly face when using this product. It can have bigger brushes, rubber grip and a wider body.

Ergonomics 2

What is Ergonomics?Ergonomics is the science of designing something to suit its users. Proper ergonomic designs are necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can lead to long-term disability. It is also defined as the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
What are the 5 aspects of Ergonomics?
-Safety-Comfort-Ease of use
-Productivity/ Performance
-Aesthetics

For each aspects of Ergonomics, explain with an example of a product that is designed for the elderly, how the product meet that particular aspect of Ergonomics.

https://www.seniorssuperstores.com/cart/images/products/850_large.jpg
Aspects : Safety, Ease of Use

This is Find-A-Light Reflective Glow-In-The-Dark Switch paste. This helps the elderly as it makes it easy for the elderly to locate the switch in the dark. It glows in the dark, therefore, the elderly can easily locate the switch in the dark. This creates safety for the elderly as the elderly would not need to grope around for a long time, therefore, lower risk of accidents.
Info from: http://www.seniorssuperstores.com/cart/html/Products/HOUSEHOLD-ITEMS/Find-A-Light-Reflec-850.html

https://www.seniorssuperstores.com/cart/images/products/93_large.jpg

Aspects: Safety, Comfort, Ease of use, Productivity, Aesthetics
Uplift Power Seat can turn any chair into an electrical lift chair. It helps people who have difficulty getting up from seats. This device lifts the user higher up so that he would not have to use a lot of strength to get up. It lifts 100% of your weight, up to 136kg.It is easy to use and to carry around. It works on sofas, armchairs and recliners. It is powered by any standard electrical socket. It comes with comfortable memory foam cushion and a removable, waterproof cover. It is slim so that it looks slick.

Information From: http://www.seniorssuperstores.com/cart/html/Products/HOUSEHOLD-ITEMS/Uplift-Power-Seat-93.html

https://www.seniorssuperstores.com/cart/images/products/351_large.jpg

Aspects: Safety, Ease of use, Aesthetics

This is a Finger Protector. As its name suggests, it is used to protect the fingers of the elderly when cutting. This product is easy to use as you only have to slide two of your fingers through the hole to hold it. It comes in bright purple to make it look attractive. It is plastic, washable and durable.

Ergonomics I

1. Compare the 2 different workplaces, state your observations.
Workplace 2 is more efficient, while Workplace 1 is more crowded. Workplace 1 has user friendly devices. The design of the chair in workplace 1 provides more comfort to the user. The computer screen can also be adjusted nearer or further from the user to suit the needs of him. In workplace 2, items are more organized and it is more spacious. Workplace 1 is very crowded, the items on the table are not organized. It is inconvenient for the user.

2. Which workplace is preferred? State with reasons why one workplace is preferred over the other.
Workplace 2 is preferred. Workplace 1 is neat and user-friendly, but Workplace 1 is not as user- friendly as Workplace 2.

3. What are the considerations that should be taken into account when designing a workplace that is suitable for the user?
We should consider the needs of the people using the workplace, to suit their needs. We should observe what are the difficulties of the worker when using the workplace. We should also consider the comfort of the worker when using the office.

4)Why do you think that Ergonomics is important when designing?
Ergonomics is important when designing so that the product would suit the needs of the user.

Observation 4

Today, I observed my elderly neighbors. Through out the entire observation, I realized that majority of the time, my elderly neighbors are always sitting down, reading newspapers, watching t.v or even sitting next to the window and observing the environment.
That reminds me, they are not the only people that do that. Most elderly do that. I wonder why. Is it because that they got nothing to do? Do they like doing nothing? Or is there some other reasons?
I asked my neighbors and there are various reasons.
1) It is not convenient for them to be standing too long. They would get body aches, especially at the knees.
2) They do not have much to do.
3) They like the quiet environment.
4) They think that it is very relaxing to just sit down and entertain themselves with the t.v., newspapers or the view outside their window.

Some elderly, like my neighbors, prefer quiet, slow lives. But there are also elderly that prefer to be active.

SST_ADMT_ElderlyChallenge_s103_01_Casandra Ong.skp

This is an overview of the entire house. There are 5 rooms altogether, living room, bedroom, kitchen, laundry room and the washroom. The space is maximized so that wheelchair bound can move around easily without facing any obstacles.
There are phones placed in every room. In case of emergency, the elderly would not have to struggle a lot to get to the house's only phone, which might be quite a distance away.




This is the living room of the house.
The television is hung on the wall to maximize the space. This also allow the wheelchair bound elderly to move around in the living room conveniently as there would not be a table blocking the way. At the window, there is a space specially reserved for the wheelchair. The elderly can "park" his wheelchair there and get onto the sofa. The sofa is also designed to fit this as it does not have an armrest on the right. Therefore, the elderly can get onto the sofa more conveniently.


This is the washroom in the house.
In the washroom, the shower area is divided from the rest of the room. This is to prevent the rest of the room from getting wet, to prevent slips.
A metal bar is also installed on the right of the toliet seat. This is also to support the elderly when he is getting off the seat.
There is another metal bar installed for the elderly to hang his bathing towel and others.






This is the bedroom in the house.
There is a metal bar installed near the bed. Its function is to help support the elderly when he is getting off or getting onto the bed to prevent any falls.
There is a table located near the bed. This is convenient for the elderly as he can place his necessities for the night there. Some examples are water and medicines.
There are two switch boxes, one at the door and one beside the bed. This is convenient for the elderly as he does not need to grope in the dark to switch on the lights. This also prevents any accidents.

This is the kitchen where all the cooking happens! In every kitchen, the stove, sink, cardboard, tables and refrigerator is needed.
The stove is an electrical one. It is safer to use an electrical stove rather than a gas one as it is less risky to get the house on fire as there is no fire burning when in use.
In case that the elderly is a wheelchair bound, everything in the kitchen will still be accessible to him.
There are no cardboards on the ceiling, all cardboard will be accessible to him.
The sink, stove, table, phone and refrigerator are all at a height that he can reach when in the wheelchair.

This is the Laundry room in the house. The Laundry room is connected to the kitchen. As it is dangerous for elderly to hang their laundry out the window to dry, there are build-in poles in the laundry room. With them, the elderly can dry their clothes in a safer method.