Holiday work - Part 3: Tools to be learnt in Semester 2

ELDERLY CHALLENGE!

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Photographs of Furnitures....


















Write-up...

General..

Sharp Corners of furnitures have caused elderlies great amount of pain when knocked against. Sometimes when the corners are very sharp, they might even cause them to bleed.

Hence my Version of a furnished room for a more elderly-friendly room is that the sharp corners of the furnitures, are now rounded off. This room is design to fit for a ageing couple to live in, hence the furniture will function only for two person's needs. Furnitures like Cupboards, Chairs, Bed-frames, Doors, Shoe-racks, Sofas. Are having their sharp corners rounded off.

Lights

Light hanged on the wall contains LED lights. Hence when one of the bulb blows, the elderly does not have to change the light bulb. This will be much more convenient for the elderly compared to changing big light bulbs which will need to be changed at a much faster rate.

Bedside table

The bedside table has a built-in dust-bin, objects(e.g reading glasses, spectacles, watch, lamp.) can be placed on the other half of the table. This actually saves space and also makes it easier for the elderly to reach the dust-bin.

Holiday Homework - Part 2: Deepening your learning experience (Observation III) (16 June)

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Write-up......

Sharp corners of tables may cause injuries to elderly, might hit against the corners and result in bruises. The sharp corner will increase the pain of the injury. I observed that the elderlies might turn around without noticing the sharp corner, hence I think that the table's corners should be rounded off. hence smooth which will cause less pain when knocked against.

Holiday Homework - Part 2: Deepening your learning experience (Observation II) (9 June)

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Writeup...

I observed that along the void decks of my neighborhood, many drains are not covered. Elderlies who have poor eyesight cannot see the obstacle in front of them walking, this may cause them to risk tripping over the drain, spraining their ankles or falling towards the grass patch.

Holiday Homework - Part 2: Deepening your learning experience (Observation I) (2 June)

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Write-up...

The elderly (my grandma) have some problems walking when there is a curb or an obstacle. I observed that the elderly have difficulties seeing curbs or objects.
She said :" 人老了行动就不方便咯."
Which means "When people gets older, their movement are more and more immobile.

Holiday Homework - Part 1: Understanding 'The Elderly Challenge'

Community on Ageing issues (CAI) - Report on the Ageing Population
[ http://www.humyo.com/4727025/CBL-Aging/Committee%20on%20Ageing%20Issues-CAI_report.pdf?a=Ty6Jb7E7AQE ]

4 Key Recommendations
- Housing For Seniors
- Accessibility for Seniors
- Caring for Seniors
- Opportunities for Seniors

These 4 Key Recommendations are to tackle the problems arising from the ageing population. CAI has found out that due to the demographic transformation, transformation in the structure of the population, Singapore will be facing challenges in the near future. Singapore has to change her wrong perception that an ageing population means increased dependent citizens.

Hence, the CAI recommends Singapore's public housing to be more elder-friendly. One way is to built the transport system more elder-friendly as it will be easier for the Seniors to travel around a safe and enjoyable journey to their destination, building accessible lifts, walkways, and transport pick-up points (e.g bus stops, train station, etc.).

Ways to ensure that the quality of elderly care here in Singapore is affordable
- Lowering the fare for the Seniors.
- Government paying a certain percentage of
their monthly travel needs. (Based on income)

These ways will ensure that Seniors with lower/no income will be able to afford for their travel needs, privileges like the "Priority Seats" or now known as "Reserved Seats" will allow Seniors with weaker bodies compared to the younger population to have a seat in the bus/train.

Things an SST student can do to help overcome 'The Elderly Challenge'

- Starting by taking care of their own grandparents,
caring for the Seniors are important to build a strong
relationship among their families.

- Having and showing the positive attitude towards
the Seniors of the society. (e.g Helping ageing
neighbors)

- Visiting Elderly Homes, to show care and concern to
the Seniors. Hence, the Seniors will not feel left out by
the Community.

This will hence result Singapore to be a society for all ages whether young or old, all citizens of Singapore will be useful citizens with important roles.