Elderly Challenge Assignment 3

I decided to make a video instead of using pictures 'cause it makes the layout clearer. I used the animation function in Google Sketchup. Yeah... I think that's it.

So... the stuff that I made specially for the elderly:

1. The ramp
Okay... maybe it wasn't so obvious in the video. So you can pause it and I believe that you will be able to see it.

2. The caretaker
You know... the room without the wheelchair but with the guy inside. Okay, the guys are just marks. The elderly won't look like that. Maybe the caretaker would? Never mind. So the kitchen is for the caretaker...? 'Cause I think that the kitchen tabletop is too tall for the elderly in a wheelchair. And also the caretaker will be helping the elderly to shift from his wheelchair to the sofa or a chair at the dining table.

3. The toilet
In the toilet, there is a toilet bowl. I know that is very obvious, but what I am focusing on is the, handlebars? or hand rails? So that the elderly can support themselves to sit onto the toilet bowl, or caretaker (because I am not saying that they will still be strong enough to support themselves).

4. The windows
Most of the windows (except for those first two, located in the caretaker's room), are the sliding type with a handle, the kind that go inward instead of sticking out, so that the elderly will find it easier to open the windows as it slides instead of opening outwards, so that the elderly does not have to stretch his/her arm.

So, yeah... I think that's it. FOR REAL!

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Elderly Challenge - Observation 4

As you can see, the old lady has just come back from the wet market and is towing along a trolley of groceries. More unhealthy elderly will not be capable of such actions and therefore need others to help them. So, we must be understanding and help those who need it.

However, there are also some elderly who are in need of help but feel that the action of receiving help is an insult to their dignity. That's why we should not try agitate them after we have realised that.

We must be able to identify those who need help and those that we can help.

ThE eNd!

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Elderly Challenge - Observation 3

As you can see in this video, the elderly man is having problems walking as he is moving with a shuffling gait, step by step. He cannot walk big steps.

Later, he ascends the steps pretty quickly, although not as fast as a normal person.

I feel that such elderly people can do quite well for themselves, but there are other elderly that have much more serious mobility problems than this senior. We must therefore help these much more physically challenged elderly, being much more mobile than them.

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Part 1: Understanding the 'The Elderly Challenge'

1 a) Housing for the elderly
Singapore should be a place that makes the elderly feel at home and encourages them to be part of the community. Singapore will have more houses built with a wide range of options to suit the elderly occupant, together with a decent caretaker.

  b) Better accessibility
Singapore will be making modifications so as to allow the elderly to access more places so that they can move around with more convenience and this is a form of exercise, which will therefore keep the elderly happy and healthy.

  c) Providing care for seniors
The elderly will have access to various efficient, affordable and easily accessible healthcare and eldercare services addressing all the elderly's different needs, allowing them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

  d) Creating more opportunities
The elderly need to lead healthy lives. For this, they will have buddies and should be involved in community activities. They will be able to socialise more and therefore others will have more positive attitudes towards them.

2) They are going to build a barrier-free environment to allow the elderly to live independently and continue engaging actively in the society. Unhindered access to various places - from homes to public amenities, communal and recreational facilities will be needed for such an enabling environment. It will give them access to the different public transport systems and therefore further benefit the few vehicles that have been adapted to be elderly friendly.


3a) The government will top up the Medisave accounts of the poorer Singaporeans when there are budget surpluses that the government can share with the people. This will help to pay for healthcare costs as Singaporeans depend on their Medisave accounts to meet their healthcare needs in their old age.


b) The elderly should receive care from family physicians as they play an important role in the management of healthcare needs for seniors. This will ensure that the elderly's many needs will be comprehensively taken care of.


4) I can help by helping seniors to cross the road by supporting them, giving up my seat when they come on the bus, or even helping them to pick up things that they drop. I can also go to community centres to talk to them.

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Elderly Challenge - Observation 2

Now, some shopping centers are more aware of the elderly's situations and therefore facilitate the elderly with special lifts like this.

These lifts provide more convinience for the elderly and disabled. It gives them more mobility and does not tire them out when they need to move from level to level via the stairs.

That's all for today!

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