- Situation Acceptance
Injuries and accidents among the old have been increasing in the current decade (Curie, 2008). The main cause has been associated with dementia and arthritis which leads to weakening of old people’s joint.
- Arthritis
The question on whether arthritis is a big menace to old people has been ringing minds of technologists and scientist because they have been thinking of how they can improve lives of old people especially when they climb staircases. Arthritis is a dangerous disease that has affected lives of many old people in almost all parts of the world (Arthritis Research, 2009). Before, this disease was not well known buy communities and it is until when their effects became a demanding issue that was required to be solved. This is because; arthritis reduces the mobility allowances (Curie, 2008). While many efforts have been done to combat spread of emergency of this expensive disease has been done, little has been achieved by the currently available intervention programs. There are over 100 forms of arthritis which affects lives of old people and the common one is osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative ailment that affects joints of old people. It can also be defined as an inflammation of the joint. Climbing staircases has been identified as one of the most harmful things that increase pain in joints of old people. The pain among old people increase because of the strain they experience in their joints which results from forced movements as they climb staircase (Curie, 2008). It turns out that the joint inflammation increase with a corresponding rise in fatigue. A case study done in the US indicates that there are approximately 20 million people who have arthritis and as a result, they experience loss of morale and in their last old days. This disease makes lot of people to remain in their homes because of the pain they experience when they to work. In the US alone, expenditure costs on art5hritis alone amounts to 100 billion dollars. Due to this, there is a need to provide these patients with sustainable objects which can help them to climb up the stairs or any elevated grounds with lot of ease (Bohman, 2013).
- Dementia
The big question under this is “How can the services provided by health centres be redesigned to address problems experienced by old people suffering from dementia”. When people suffering memory loss identifies their problem, they are most likely to become stressed and demoralized with living. These cases have resulted in many serious events whereby they have found themselves trying to go through staircases (NHS, 2013). This is the worst that can occur especially when they make negative attempts of not supporting themselves. While this diseases has been addressed by many organizations, there remains big gaps that have required an intervention program. Yes, good nutrition has been recommended but the way of preventing their security wile moving up the staircases has not been addressed. This means that, there is need to devise a mechanism and methodology that can effectively serve as an intervention strategy to help such patients (NHS, 2013). This disease is worse especially when patients are left alone to go upstairs or in showers. Many cases have been reported and the trend at which they are being highlighted and channeled publicly is rocketing. Caring for such patients is stressing and frustrating but the best way is to incorporate technology to serve as one of the inputs that can be made available to direct efforts of other stakeholders fighting implications of Dementia (NHS, 2013).
- How can cognitive and physical abilities of old people be improved through design
This is a big question that has remained unanswered for along time. As people become old, decline in physical activity and cognitive issues seem to affect their degree of independency. Nurses have so far been identified as the best advisors for people and families who have old people and who are vulnerable of encountering the same problem. A successful aging can be facilitated when all possible mechanism that can help are integrated towards minimizing chances of old people losing their memory. Social engagement, cognitive activity and effective physical activity can reduce these impacts to low levels. Considering that physical exercise is one of the mentioned strategies to intervene, it is therefore more effective if a supporting gadget is provided to the old age, to help them stand or twist during the time they do exercise (Williams, & Kemper, 2010). One of the exercises is to climb up the staircases and the diagram (appendix is recommended). The world health organization has called for many organizations and individuals to practice physical exercises because of the good benefits it offers to all generations (The Cochrane Library, 2012). With the current civilizations, most families are keeping their old ones in homesteads without movements, and as such, there are possibilities that the problem of not doing enough exercise by the old people will increase. World health organizations has outlined and recommended that people having the age of 65 years and above should do physical exercises for an average of 150 minutes daily. These exercises should all be aerobic and can be done in turns (Williams, & Kemper, 2010). Physical exercise is any adjustments that include movement of body parts and skeletal muscles, and which requires energy expenditures (The Cochrane Library, 2012).
- Statistics
As a result of the above diseases among the old people, many injuries have been reported and the record on such occurrences is constantly increasing. Levels of accidents and injuries among the old aged people has been increasing and it is not yet clear on the extend to which it will affect future generations. These cases have end results which lead to deaths and fatal injuries among the old citizens (Arthritis Research, 2009). As indicated in figure 1, Arthritis is rocketing and the injuries associated with such disease can increase both in females and in males.
Figure 1: Trends of Arthritis in the UK
- Design Definition
It is critical to note that arthritis people of all genders and most importantly old people above the age of 65 years and or 75 years (Arthritis Research, 2009). While this happens, there are inquiries that have been made to determine and identify ways through which they can address problems associated with arthritis and dementia (Arthritis Research, 2009). The estimated proportions have indicated that women are at more risk than men but still, all groups are vulnerable to injuries and accidents as shown in the figure 2.
Figure 2:
Injuries and accidents among the old people is rocketing with a corresponding rise in number of deaths among the old who suffer from dementia and arthritis. This has occurred while trying to climb staircases. This has happened in weird ways that have left people and technologists inquiring about the best way that can be used to address these problems. One of the most effective ways has been to address the problem technologically and scientifically.
- Ideate
There have been many mechanisms that have been put forward by different stakeholders to address problems surrounding injuries and fatal accidents that affect the old who especially suffer from dementia and arthritis. For example, climbing frameworks have been installed in many climbing scenarios and places to safeguard both the old and children from falling back. They were first introduced in German at the fall of 19th century (Guest Post, 2012). At first, they were constructed to improve physical and moral development. These were inform of metal constructions and reinforcements that were installed to guide climbers to higher places. Today, the metal frameworks have been modified such that they can be made by wood, and masterpieces of other civil and structural engineering materials. Children were protected from failing when climbing but at the time, little was known about the future safety of old people. This was because, cases of dementia and arthritis was still not known very well (Guest Post, 2012). Climbing frames is one of the best options that can be used to address the increasing trend of injuries and fatal accidents among the old aged people. Nowadays, they have been installed in homes to guide children and other individuals willing to do the physical exercises. While these mechanisms are available, there is still need to integrate more approaches towards management of injuries and accidents that are more common among old people of today. Skyscrapers are being constructed on a daily basis and there evidence beyond doubt that more accidents will be recorded despite the fact that most buildings are installed with lifts.
Clutches are helpful yes, but they do not offer the flexibility that is required among the old people (Gower & Carpenter, 2013). It should be considered that most old people have weak joints and the best way to address this is to ensure that they have comfortability and that they are secured against failure when they exercise or when they climb objects or staircases (Gower & Carpenter, 2013). The outlined available options remains to be the so far improved mechanisms that can be used to address problems of accidents and failures that are quite common and evident among the old people. Significantly, many stakeholders have not come up with effective strategies that consider welfare of the old people with regard to their weak joints and bones. Due to this, the best way to address these problems is to have an improved form of a climbing bar which enables the old to walk and twist at a little risk of getting involved in an accident or to get an injury, climbing support as indicated on the diagram (appendix excavator or stairs) are recommended).
- Selection
The improved climbing stick has been designed while factoring in the age of the targeted old people who requires a higher factor of safety while climbing staircases. The design is a prototype that shows how an old model can be improved with an effective channeling in of technological skills that together with structural mechanics, can serve as the best bar that gives comfort to the old. This bar has an arrangement of flexible pieces of several materials that have been combined to ensure that the weight of the old can safely be supported and safeguarded against fail when they climb the staircases. Empirically, the new bar has a greater strength and it offers a lot of flexibility to the old people who are vulnerable to accidents and failures, which normally occurs while they climb up the stairs (Gower & Carpenter, 2013).
- Implementation
The design above should be implemented in an old age care centre whereby their welfare will be taken care of by assistants so that feedback can be easily tracked for future improvements.
- Evaluation
It will be done from time to time depending with the feedback that will have been received. Views of the people and whatever their suggestion will be considered during the implementation.
Conclusion
The rate at which injuries have been reported among the old while climbing has been constantly rocketing. This means that there is a little input that is being utilized to reduce the figures. This has demanded a new intervention design that will help in reducing injuries and number of deaths among the old aged people who quite often meet their death and injury while climbing staircases. The new design has put into consideration, the fact that the old have no enough energy to withstand the pain and effects that result from dementia and arthritis. However, by adopting the new design, it is hoped that the number of deaths and injuries will drastically reduce among the old. Finally, to achieve this, it will be required that the implementation is done at an old age care centre to facilitate easy tracking of the feedback from the users and commentators.
References
Arthritis Research UK National Primary Care Centre, Keele University (2009), Musculoskeletal Matters. – Retrieved from http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/data-and- statistics/osteoarthritis.aspx#sthash.a5ZJZM5u.dpuf
Bohman, K. 2013. Rock climbing, fat fingers and arthritis. Retrieved from http://scienceblogs.com/webeasties/2013/01/22/rock-climbing-fat-fingers-and-arthritis/
Curie, L. (2008). Chapter 10 Fall and Injury Prevention. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2653/
The Cochrane Library, (2012). Physical activity and exercise for health and well being of older people. Retrieved from http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/details/collection/2043267/Physical-activity-and- exercise-for-health-and-well-being-of-older-people.html
Gower, E. & Carpenter, C. 2013. Someone needs a helping hand! Tired looking Sharon Stone, 57, clutches on to her 27-year-old toyboy beau as they go for dinner. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2306083/Sharon-Stone-57-clutches- toyboy-beau-Martin-Mica-27.html
Guest Post, (2012). Climbing frames and the benefits they can bring to your children. Retrieved from http://www.largerfamilylife.com/2012/11/27/climbing-frames-and-the-benefits- they-can-bring-to-your-children/
NHS, 2013.Dementia Guide. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia- guide/pages/dementia-carers.aspx
Williams, K. , & Kemper, S. , (2010). Exploring to reduce cognitive decline in aging. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing Mental Health Services, 48(5): 42-51. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923489/
Appendix
Fig 1
