About the design

About our design, this is according to a 3-room HDB flat bathroom.

We specially design this wall mount chair a hole in it because when the elderly are bathing, there's a better flow of water down the drain. The excess water would not flood the chair with water and cause uneasy to the elderly. Handle grip bar beside the wall mount chair can securely help the elderly while they are using the bathroom. We did not use stainless steel for the grip bar and by using PVC material, it would not slip when holding. 

we need to minimize unnecessary things as much as possible. The basin is a round edge because when shape using edge can cause injuries to the elderly because of their weak skin.

Final design

Here's our final design of our bathroom for the elderly use. Done this by using 3D max software, the design consist of the anti-slip coat on tiles, handrail installation on the side of the toilet bowl and beside the wall chair and the wall chair for bathing use and electronic toilet bowl. 

conclusion

Designs were made to allow comfort and safety for the elderly to allow them to be able to not worry about having difficulties using the toilet.Designs were made while putting ourselves in the shoes of the elderly, thinking for them and trying to make things easier for them.Families would worry about the safety of their old folks who are staying alone at home and do not have time to take care of them, they would want the best safety available for their elderly.

our top 6 ideas

Here's is our top 5 ideas and listing out the pros and cons to each ideas.
Next we have to combine at least 3 of these to our final idea. 

1. Robotic Hand
By building a robotic hand, the activities in a bathroom can be done more easily.

Pros:
- Burden free
- Physical support
- Helps wash the head

Cons:
- Electric shock
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Too strong

2. Electronic Toilet Bowl
Electronic toilet bowl has automatic function that allows the user use it comfortably.

Pros:
- Easier to use
- Help in washing and hygiene after using

Cons:
- Expensive to install
- Need proper maintenance
- Expensive to repair

3. Rams installation
Rams installation make the elderly easier to access the bathroom.

Pros:
- Easier for elderly to walk
- Less-effort in accessing bathroom

Cons:
- If too steep, elderly will slip and fall
- Must be dry and not slippery

4. Anti-slip Coat
Using anti-slip coat to floor, help to prevent slippery floor.

Pros:
- Easy to use
- Not expensive

Cons:
- Have to apply every six months

5. Handrail installation
Attaching handrail in bathroom can securely help the elderly while they using the bathroom.

Pros:
- Physical support
- Available around the toilet
- Stable

Cons:
- Might hit against the railing if fall
- Need proper measurements and correct places

6. Wall-chair
Attaching chair to the wall are the solution to make elderly won’t have to stand for a long time in bathroom.

Pros:
- Sturdy 
- Prevents slipping while showering

Cons:
- Takes up space
- May kick into it

101 IDEAS !

we are asked to think of 101 on our topic safety for elderly (bathroom). The picture above shows our mind map on our 101 ideas. Mindmaps were made as one of the methods for brainstorming the problem. After the brainstorming session, core problems were found. This core problem later will be used in developing ideas in the next brainstorming. Problems that has been found are such as: the elderly not strong and flexible, slippery floor, toilet seat too 
high, water temperature, medical issues, lighting issues, steam, issues, and bathroom utilities issues.

During the process of getting the ideas my group mate thinks of some creative ideas. Mainly we are focusing on 5 main point like basin, shower area, toilet bowl, flooring and technology and branching it out to even more ideas.

standing in their shoe

Being an elderly it wasn't easy to use the bathroom because they tends to be weaker than us. And there must be sufficient lighting as their eyesight can be clouded as time passes by. So i have to tried out standing in their shoe and feel them. I realize that the bathroom need to have suffusion handle grip bar and the floor must be anti slip either in the bathroom or just out the bathroom. After this experience i get to understand more about their needs. 

Further research

The risk of falling is very common among the elderly, as Singapore is facing a growing ageing society the numbers of falling cases is rapidly increasing.  Senior Staff Nurse Saraswathi d/o Vaiyapun from Changi General Hospital (CGH), has contributed a few simple tips into a booklet on fall prevention called “Steady, Stable and safe.

Statistics showing on seniors falls in homes. The rate of elderly falls in a community setting in Singapore was 17.2 percent according a local study done in 1997 (KM Chan, 1997). In a recent study on The Singapore Malay eye study by Ecosse L. Lamoreux et al. (2008), 14.7 percent with ageing from 40 to 80 years reported had decrease in the past 12 months.

Exercising may reduce the risk of falling, here are two which you may try out. Strength exercise and balance training.

Strength training
The major muscles of the legs are targeted, as these are essential for movement and transfers. 

These can be done at two sets of 10 repetitions with 10-second hold for each repetition. Ankle weights can be added to provide resistance to the muscles. It is recommended to perform these exercises two to three times per week.

Balance training
balance exercises should be done in dynamic form rather than static to be effective. Hence, if you are not confident in performing them, do have an assistant with you. Start by holding onto stable supports (e.g. the window or dining table). As you improve, you may omit hand support.

These can be done in three to four repeats of 10 steps each, three times per week.

- See more at: http://www.agelessonline.net/569/falls-prevention/#sthash.lcGnKvXT.dpuf