Thanks to all of you.

In order for any project to be successful and completed, good guidance and mindful research are needed.

We are very much thankful to both of our lecturers, Ang Chiat and Mickey Ho, for providing us with necessary information regarding the project, with good supervision and proper guidance and support in order to complete it.

Last but not least, we are also thankful to our fellow classmates and also the school, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts for providing us great facilities, computers and libraries example, just to name a few. All the valuable assistance needed for us during preparation for our projects.

Reflection

from left to right : Tanakit , Nathania (me) , Junhui/ Stephen , and Jodi

Shout out to our very first picture as a group. 

This picture are taken from the 1st exercise that Mickey Ho and Ang Chiat gave us.  Where we are in the process of making the video of Grandpa Yang are falling due to the un-friendly restroom for elderlies.

Firstly , I would say that we did not know each other at all and used to be strangers. And I thought that we could not even gone this far. But in the end everything change , my group can cooperate well nd having a good teamwork. The communication that we have as a group is good. In the end we could finish all of the mind map , presentations , sketch book , proposal well and on time. After all I am glad to know each one of them, I am glad that we are in one group for Design Process!

DESIGN SOLUTION

Here are the solutions that we proposed for our presentation.

Our Research Methodology Result

Survey Monkey

It is an online survey trusted by many companies, organisations and individual alike to gather the insights of what they need to make more organised decisions.

There are pros and cons into using online surveys like Survey Monkeys.

It is easy to use and maintain with the capability of collecting data from a large group of people. On the other hand, people may not be willing to give out their honest and accurate answers. Some might not have a proper reason or explanation for their given answers.

Questions on the Survey Monkey we made:

1. What age range are your parents/grandparents? (You may choose more than one)

50-60

61-70

71-80

81 and above
2. Are they living with anyone?

No

Yes
If "Yes", who are they living with?
3. What kind of house are they living in?

HDB

Condo

Landed Property

Others (please specify)
4. How often do they clean their toilet?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly
Never
5. Are your parents/grandparents working?
Yes
No
6. Are there any safety products in your parents/grandparents' restroom?
Yes
No
7. Do your parents/grandparents have any illnesses or disabilities?
Yes
No
If "Yes", please specify:
8. Do your parents/grandparents use the walker?
Yes
No
9. Have you ever had any experience with elderlies falling in the restroom?
Yes
No
10. Do you think your parents/grandparents' toilet is elderly-friendly?
Yes
No

Interview

It is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given. Acting in the role of interview and the other role of interviewee.

Advantages of this research method includes easy correction of speech, development of relationship, selection of suitable candidate, sufficient information, time saving, less costly, in depth analysis, explore cause behind the problem, and increase in knowledge.

Disadvantages includes experiencing incomplete process, having no record, lack of attention, time consuming, biases and inefficiency of interviewer, and interviews not being suitable for personal matters.

Interview questions:

1. How old are you?
2. Do you have any mobility issues?
3. How many times do you visit the toilet on a daily basis?
4. Do you go right after waking up and before sleeping?
5. Do you find it hard to use the public toilet?

       YES   

6. If so, why?
7. Do you think the toilet at your house is elderly friendly?
8. What kinds of improvement should be implemented ?
9. What is the biggest problem faced in the toilet?

       NO

       6. Do you think that public toilets in Singapore is elderly friendly?

       7. Should there be improvements made in public toilets?

       8. Do you know what is the biggest cause of injury in the toilet for elderlies?

       9. Do you know that slip and fall is the most common problem?

10. What do you think is the cause for falling in the toilet?
11. Do you think it is a good idea to add anti-slip flooring in the toilet?

Interviewee 1’s answers:

1. Im 68 this year
2. My weak knees are the biggest problem
3. At least 5 times a day
4. Yes of course I go after waking up and before sleeping
5. Yes, sometimes in certain places
6. The toilet is old and dirty
7. I think that it is fine
8. Maybe anti-slip mats and handrails, also install telephone in case of emergency
9. Bending down when using the toilet bowl, my knees are the problem
10. Yes it would be good
11. Yes

Case study

The case study method allows us to research on existing cases which consist on the problems and possible solutions to the problem.The case studies that we have researched about are mainly found on the internet. The case studies have been summarise into a shorter version.

1. The first case study is about several elderly couple where one of the example where the husband slipped, fell and hit his head on the toilet sink.After the incident, the house was installed with railings, furniture was re arrange and anti slip mat were installed in the toilet. The case study also cover the chemically treated tiles which reduce the slipperiness when come in contact with water.

Resource : http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100924-238848.html

2 .The 2nd case study is about two elderly patients died in hospital ’s bathroom , because they did not want to ask help to go to the bathroom.  The report shows that , at least two elderly are falling over in hospital. The fact that they did not want to ask for help is , they do not want to be any trouble. They think by pressing they “emergency button” will cause a burden to stuff. But actually its putting them on bigger problem. Fally , have an Psychological effect on the elderlies , they will feel isolation , depression and feeling not independence.

Resource:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339977/Two-elderly-patients-week-die-hospital-falls-report-shows-dont-ask-help-bathroom-dont-want-trouble-nurses.html

RECONSTRUCTING AN ELDER-FRIENDLY RESTROOM

No matter what we do the restroom is still a dangerous place for the elderlies to utilize alone. Due to old age, they will have mobility problems and the smallest things such as the height of the toilet bowl can post as a problem for them. Even with all the improvement that we can possibly install in the restroom for the elderlies to be safer, it is still not enough. With one slip or fall, it will result in serious injury for the rest of their lives or even worse which is death.

With our research thus far the main cause of the accident in the restroom not only for the elderlies but for everyone is the flooring. When wet, the flooring will definitely become slippery enough for any unaware person to slip and fall. A lot of restrooms nowadays have a warning sign saying that we should not wet the floor but expectedly we will do it sometimes.

With daily cleaning for the restroom, they will have to eventually wet the floor to clean it. The air blowing machine can be used to blow dry the floor after the cleaner has done their jobs but that is only after the cleaning for a certain period of time. There is separate public restroom for the disabilities and elderlies but people will use them regardless.

ERGONOMIC

Once , Mickey Ho told me to research on what is ERGONOMIC?

and here it is.
ERGONOMIC is the applied science of equipment design , as workplace ,  that measures work. It is a device that can be used to measure work is called an ergometer. This is to maximize the productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.

Basically it is good to apply ergonomic in every product that we invent. Especially for designer like us. Both picture above are the example of how ergonomic works , every details are an applied science that shows in every particles of design and work and how your body will be or having a good body posture. As you can see the left picture even shows the angle of knee angle , seat back angle and everything. and the right picture shows how will your body will having a good posture body.