Periodicum biologorum, Vol. 112 No. 1, 2010.
Original scientific paper
Analysis and ergonomics of houses for elderly people
JAIRO JOSÉ DRUMMOND CÂMARA
; UEMG – State university of Minas Gerais, School of Design – CPqD, Av. Antonio Carlos, 7535 – Belo, Horizonte/MG, CEP: 31270-010 BRAZIL
RITA DE CASTRO ENGLER
; UEMG – State university of Minas Gerais, School of Design – CPqD, Av. Antonio Carlos, 7535 – Belo, Horizonte/MG, CEP: 31270-010 BRAZIL
PRISCILLA DE OLIVEIRA FONSECA
; UEMG – State university of Minas Gerais, School of Design – CPqD, Av. Antonio Carlos, 7535 – Belo, Horizonte/MG, CEP: 31270-010 BRAZIL
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis and application of ergonomics in the
kitchen and bathrooms of elderly people. The purpose is to enable them to execute their daily activities more comfortably, safely and without help. First, an analysis was made of routine activities of elders, pointing out their needs and difficulties in these rooms; Later an analysis of these rooms was performed. With this data and a bibliographical research on ergonomics of kitchens and bathrooms, problems were identified showing possible accidents in the forth-mentioned places that old people may be exposed to, due to their vulnerability in a routine tasks performance. It was noticed that
most of them have visual and postural instability and also a decrease in other senses that increase accident risks. According to all this information changes and adaptations of layout are proposed to make kitchens and bathrooms safer and more comfortable to this population.
Keywords
Ergonomics; kitchen; bathroom; elderly people
Hrčak ID:
52691
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2010.
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