Think of it like this: If you want to help someone, you don’t start by guessing their age, job, or hobbies. You start by asking, “What are they struggling with?”
I have been always been particularly concerned about the frequency of falls among the elderly, especially since I have family members who have experienced fall-related injuries. Based on local statistics, about one-third of people aged 65 and above in Singapore have suffered a fall at least once, with 40% of these falls resulting in injury-related deaths.
Most fall prevention measures focus on installing safety features in homes to create a fall-proof environment. While these are important, my concern has grown due to the increasing use of Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs), such as e-scooters, on the roads. These devices lead the elders to increased reliance on mobility aids (whether they genuinely need assistance or not).
Netflix documentary : Secrets of the Blue Zones
I recently watched a Netflix documentary about the Blue Zones, which highlighted that elders in Okinawa have a habit of sitting on the floor and standing up around 30 times a day. This routine helps build their lower body strength and balance.
Elders in Okinawa have a habit of sitting on the floor and standing up around 30 times a day
After watching the series, I had two thoughts:
I believe that apps like Pokémon GO are a good approach to encouraging the elderly to go out for walks, but I feel more can be done beyond just placing exercise equipment in parks and hoping the elders will use it.
It is something worth exploring and thinking about.
Note: I have been exploring the idea of integrating intentional inconveniences into design, inspired by the concept from Hiroshi Kawakami. If you are interested, feel free to check out my article below . I feel that it is a good concept that is worth building upon.
Why Deliberate Inconvenience Could Play a Part in Product Design
The value of Inconvenience Design
