In depth analysis of geriatric medical furniture design to meet special needs and improve comfort

Mondo Cars Updated on 2024-01-31

With the global trend of aging populations, healthcare facilities are faced with an increasing number of elderly patients. In order to provide more intimate and professional medical services, we need to deeply understand the special needs and comfort of the elderly, and make corresponding considerations and improvements in the design of medical furniture. Here are some of the key elements and challenges of geriatric medical furniture design.

Four strategies for security

First, let's take a look at the important factor of security. The physical function and reaction speed of the elderly may be reduced, so safety factors such as anti-slip, anti-fall, and anti-collision need to be considered in the design of furniture. Here are some specific suggestions:

Design of beds and chairs

Beds and chairs are one of the most frequently used pieces of furniture for the elderly, so safety and stability are paramount. The bed needs to be supportive and accommodating, and can be adjusted according to the patient's weight and heightThe chair needs to have a stable bottom and be wide enough to support the patient's weight and movement. In addition, the edges and corners of beds and chairs need to be rounded to prevent scratches and bumps.

Handrails and railings design

Handrails and railings are important aids for the elderly to walk and move, so the height and strength also need to be ergonomic. Handrails and railings should be waist to chest height so that the elderly can easily hold and lean on;The strength should be strong and durable enough to withstand the weight and stress of an older person.

Selection of flooring and materialsFloor coverings need to have good friction and abrasion resistance to prevent slipping and wear. At the same time, the flooring of the hospital should be a single-color short-pile carpet or other hard material flooring with cushioning effect, but it must be guaranteed that it will not reflect light, so as not to cause visual obstruction to elderly patients.

Choice of color of the space

As people age, their eyesight declines, they gradually lose their ability to distinguish colors, their perception of dark colors weakens, and their spatial awareness also weakens. If there is no clear contrast in the colors of the surrounding environment, the world will become blurred in the eyes of the elderly, which in turn will lead to a decrease in the confidence of the elderly in life. Therefore, hospitals should use colors to distinguish functional areas, and use contrasting colors to highlight the signs in the hospital, such as yellow corridors, green rooms, amber activity rooms, etc.

Two strategies for comfort

In addition to safety, comfort is also an important aspect of geriatric medical furniture design. Older people may have more chronic diseases and pain problems, so comfort and humanity need to be considered in furniture design. Here are some suggestions:

Design of lockers and tables

Lockers and tables are important places for seniors to store and use their belongings, so they need to be designed to be easy to operate and use. The height and layout of lockers and tables need to fit the sight and arm range of the elderly, allowing for easy placement and removal of frequently used items;Drawers and doorknobs need to have large buttons and easy-pull handles to reduce strain on fingers and joints.

Lighting and temperature controlLighting and temperature are also important factors that affect the comfort of the elderly. In the setting of indoor light sources, hospitals need to use natural fluorescent lamps or full-spectrum lamps to ensure that there is no glare and arc control lamps, and avoid uneven brightness distribution in the field of vision caused by mixed lightingIn order to meet the different needs and habits of the elderly, the function of temperature regulation can also be considered in the furniture design. For example, beds and chairs can be equipped with heating or cooling pads that can be adjusted to suit the individual's body temperature and preferencesLockers and tables can be fitted with thermostats or dehumidifiers to protect the quality and safety of items.

Two strategies for convenience

Older people may need more aids and facilities, so convenience and practicality need to be considered in furniture design. Here are some suggestions:

Flexible and adjustable designThe physical condition and needs of the elderly may change over time, so flexibility and adjustability need to be taken into account in furniture design. For example, beds and chairs can be equipped with electrically adjustable and reclining functions to accommodate different sitting and reclining positions;The height and layout of cabinets and tables can be adjusted and expanded to meet different storage and usage needs.

Alarm and communication equipmentAlarm and communication devices are an important means of emergency help and communication for the elderly, so their design needs to be simple and intuitive. Medical institutions can install one-button alarm and voice communication equipment, which can quickly respond to and solve the problems and needs of the elderly.

The design of geriatric medical furniture needs to fully consider the special needs and characteristics of the elderly in order to provide more intimate and professional medical services. This requires not only a high degree of professional knowledge and skills from designers and engineers, but also a high degree of social responsibility and humanistic care from medical institutions and policymakers.

the end

In the future, we look forward to seeing more medical furniture design solutions and practices

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