Design Process: Another Case Study Research

Case Study 2:

Kitchen Living in Later Life: Exploring Ergonomic Problems, Coping Strategies and Design Solutions (http://www.ijdesign.org/ojs/index.php/IJDesign/article/view/1216/615)
Areas to note:

1.

-Study kitchen layout, kitchen item's design, etc

-In interwiews, ask about:

• Personal preferences
• Lifestyle (How often they use the kitchen, what do they cook,etc)
• Past experiences in the kitchen/problems faced
• How much of a significance is the kitchen to them?

-Potential problems:

• Lighting 
• Hearing (could not hear sound of kettle boiling,etc)
• Mobility (some seniors require the aid of wheelchairs, walking sticks,etc)
• Reaching Bending and Posture
• Strength and Dexterity
• Kitchen Size, Layout and Space
• Food preparation (lack of strength for chopping and peeling, baking for hours
• Making hot drinks
• Use of Microwaves (food items too hot to transport)
• Washing dishes
• Waste disposal
• Cleaning
• Laundry
• 
  

-Solutions used to overcome the problems:

• Carousel Shelf
• Handles at the bottom of windows in the kitchen 
• Cupboards located at a more reachable height
• Cups and saucer racks
• Additional shelving
• Rubber mat for carton opening
• Ring pull tin opener
• Kitchen timer
• Use dishwasher

-Eldery feel inertia about making changes to their kitchen as it is expensive

-Recommendations:

• Ensuring enough light and instruction visibility
• Easier access and more storage
• Addressing problems of strength and dexterity
• More flexible kitchens
• Bespoke kitchens