Industrial product design for elderly people in interior spaces

Abstract

Throughout the history of mankind, the aging concept has been one of the oldest and most significant concerns of all societies and individuals. In the contemporary world, increasing ageing of the population has globally created phenomena and priorities that affect life styles and world views of all people. Demographic changes show the elderly population is the fastest growing part of the world.s population, particularly in Japan, Europe and the USA. Therefore, populations become older and more disabled and these trends continue in the future. The aging process restricts the many physical and cognitive abilities of the elderly.Besides, most of elderly people continue to live their own households. Present products which for increasing aging population living alone have become inadequate to meet their changing physical, sensory and cognitive requirements during the aging process. For this reason, product design for elderly and its criteria which can be adapted to global needs of people to reach an optimal solution should be considered profoundly. Products which can respond many physical problems of elderly help them to accomplish the activities of daily living in interior spaces and act as a physical and cognitive assistive role in their lives. This study aims to examine the domestic products which are being used by elderly people in interior spaces to make daily living activities more efficient and satisfying for them and reveal the criteria to reach a solution. These products aim to improve the independently living and the quality of life of elderly people and connect them to social life.