Elderly Challenge - Observation 4

This week, I noticed that some elderly had trouble traveling around Singapore. There are buses and some taxis that are able to transport the elderly, however not all bus services have wheelchair buses and taxis which are able to ferry wheelchair bound elderly are limited. I recommend that bus and taxi companies should bring in more vehicles that can ferry wheelchair bound elderly around.

I also noticed that some food outlets have chairs that are drilled into the floor which makes it very difficult for wheelchair bound elderly from eating at the table. I suggest that food outlets should use movable chairs instead so that they can be moved out of the way to accommodate the elderly or putting sufficient space between seats so that the elderly can fit in.

ADMT room layout

This is my room layout for the elderly. There are railings next to the bed and along the walls to allow the elderly to move around easier. The bed is also close to the door to allow the elderly occupant to exit easier. The floor is covered with a non-slip floor mat to prevent the elderly person from falling. In addition, the room is also brightly lit to allow the elderly to see better.

Elderly Challenge - Observation 3

This week, I noticed that some cleaners did a terrible job of mopping the floor. They leave puddles of water here and there and this makes the floor very slippery. To make matters worse, the cleaners do not put up the wet floor sign to warn people. I think this is very dangerous as most elderly have poor eyesight and may not see the danger in front of them and might slip and fall. I recommend that the cleaners be more careful when mopping and also to put up the wet floor signs.

I have also noticed that some price tags on items are very small and the elderly are not able to see the price of items. I recommend that the shops should increase the size of the prices on their items so that the elderly will be able to see the prices.

Elderly Challenge - Observation 2

This week, I have noted that some elderly have troubles with their balance, causing them to take a fall sometimes while walking. To solve this problem, I suggest that the government may want to increase the width of walkways so that the elderly have more space to walk without falling.

Another thing I noticed was that some elderly have poor hearing and have to be called a few times before they respond to people. This can be dangerous at times. For example, if the elderly is in danger and someone warns them, they may not be able to react in time and get injured. A solution to this is giving the elderly hearing aids. However, the elderly may not want to wear them as they may be conscious of how they look and the hearing aid will stick out like a sore thumb. I suggest that a more disguised and camouflaged hearing aid be made for the elderly so that they will not be afraid to use it.

Holiday work - Part 1: Understanding the ‘The Elderly Challenge’

The report recommended that the environment for senior citizens should be obstruction free, making it more accessible for senior citizens to travel around.
Another recommendation was for improved health care for the elderly so that their quality of life is better. The health care for elderly will also be improved and made easier and cheaper for elderly to excess.
The report stated that chances for elderly would also be increased. Opportunities for elderly to live healthy and active lives will also be increased along with more opportunities for the elderly to make more friends, foster better relationships with family members and participate more in activities and community groups . Adults and children will also have better attitudes towards towards elderly.
Lastly, the report stated that elderly should be encouraged to live as part of a family or a community. Housing options for elderly should also be complemented by good support care services.

They recommended varying the length of land leases as it will facilitate the development of retirement housing by the private sector.

We can introduce plans for the elderly to help the poorer elderly cope with health care as they may not have enough money to pay for health care in the future.
The government can also help the elderly by topping-up the elderly's Medisave account annually so as to help the elderly cope with health care.

I can help the elderly by going down to their homes and help out with elderly tasks that they may not be too good at doing and talk to them if they are feeling lonely.
Since learning never stops, i can try to teach the elderly another language that i know so they can communicate with people better and hopefully break the language barrier between elderly and other people.
I can organize a fund raiser to help elderly get more money for the elderly and hopefully improve their way of living.

Elderly Challenge - Observation 1

This week, I noticed that many of the elderly have trouble getting on the escalators in shopping malls. I even saw one elderly almost trip while trying to get onto an escalator! A solution to this problem is for the management to install more lifts for the elderly or to build travelators instead of escalators so that elderly will not find it difficult to get to the next floor in a shopping center. Travelators do not form into steps but remain flat, allowing elderly to step onto it anytime unlike the escalators where the elderly have to make sure they step on a step.

I have also noticed that senior citizens corners are often invaded my teens, taking away the elderly's space and refusing to leave. They also leave their trash and litter at the senior citizen's corner making it very dirty. I suggest that the government set-up regular patrols to catch teens who make the senior citizen's corner dirty and apprehend them. The elderly will then have the corner made for them all for themselves to chat with each other.