Ergonomic products to cater for aging population

Getting old is an unavoidable part of any human being’s life, yet how should we adapt our tools to the requirement of the elderly population remain uncertain to most tools and houseware manufacturers. In recent years, knowledge in ergonomics, the science that gears tool and ware designs to fit the physical and cognitive demands of human beings, has become an integral part of industrial design. Ergonomics can add value to daily gadgets, making them a good fit to customers with age-induced requirements.

To explore the issue, MegaAsia has the honor to have an exclusive interview recently with Professor Chetwyn Chan, a Hong Kong specialist in the field, to explore the subject and its implications for product designs. Professor Chan is also the vice-President of the Hong Kong Ergonomics Society.

Photo: Professor Chetwyn Chan, Vice president of Hong Kong Ergonomics Society

An aging world

Since the end of the Second World War, advancement in medical care as well as living standard has been contributing to an ever-aging population. In Asia , Japan is a prominent example of “getting old” on a fast track. A recent Japanese government survey reveals that, people aged over 65 will constitute almost 25% of the Japanese population in the coming 30 years. By that time, every two workers in the country will have to support the retirement life of a person aged 65 or above. This rise in mean age also comes with an acute drop in birth rate. Japan ’s population growth is now moving along a downward spiral path, and Japan may see lack of new workers as soon as next decade. In Hong Kong , recent Census and Statistics Bureau figures show that the percentage of population over 65 years of age will exceed 24% by the end of 2031, as contrasted with the 11.1 % of 2001. At the same time, the population’s mean age is expected to grow from 37 years old in 2001, to 46 years old in 2031.

Across the Pacific, the U.S. is also facing the mass retirement of a whole generation. The so-called “Baby-boomers”, persons born between 1945 to1970s, will approach retirement starting from 2010 onwards. Said Howard Waxman, a consumer products and service expert and writer for FIND/SVP, a New York-based consumer market consultancy, “Between 1995 and 2010, the 45+age bracket will grow by 38 percent, while the general population will have only grown 13 percent.”

Other than the U.S. and Asia , the European continent is also “silver-hairing”. In Scandinavian countries such as Norway , Sweden and Finland , couples without offspring now outnumber those who do. The governments of these three countries have expressed deep concerns over such trend, and the consequential pressure on their welfare systems as the percentage of aging population is on a sharp rise in the near decades. Given such a worldwide trend, and the fact that the baby-boomer generation controls almost 50% of the world’s wealth, it can be assured that the “silver hair” market is the next big gold mine for housewares and tools industry worldwide.

Ergonomics: The Science of industrial design for the seniors

Dr. Chetwyn Chan, associate head of the Department of Rehabilitation Science at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University explained, “Ergonomics is not a new invention. It has been evolving for over 30 years now. It is a science that takes human physical and cognitive forms into consideration in product design, to enhance functions and user-friendliness, and to reduce possible injuries due to the use of the products.”

He added,” Ergonomics therefore is the science of finding the optimal human-machine-environment interface, which can enable the user of the product to fully utilize the functions of the product but at the same time within the users’ capabilities. A good ergonomically-tuned design should be able to also prevent unnecessary awkward postures, muscle strains, and other injuries to the body of the users.”

To construct an ergonomically-sound product, Prof.. Chan said manufacturers should rely on professionally trained ergonomists, instead of adopting a common sense approach to product design. He explained, “A good product needs to be repeatedly tested for its usefulness and reliability. A lot of the testing and processes demand a laboratory set-up and sophisticated surveillance system. It is not just about asking people to simply try out the item and see if the users may feel uncomfortable in the process.”

Ergonomic products for the aged

For most of the time, ergonomics can greatly enhance tasks or products that may look simple to use to the young and middle-aged persons, but not so to aged users. Prof. Chan explained, “For example, most of the water taps today require users to twist and turn the switch to receive water. By changing the switches into small handles, users need only a simple push to turn on the switches, which greatly reduce physical strain on fingers.”

“Also, in a recent project with the HSBC ( Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), we have also greatly refined the steps required in a typical ATM transaction, for the convenience of seniors.”

“In a standard HSBC ATM transaction, users have to press buttons repeatedly to complete a task. This looks normal for average users, but not so for the 60+ years old group. To ease their usage problem, we revise and simplify the interface, so that 60+ customers can complete most of their transactions with reduced steps, whiling using only a few buttons in the process. Such design allows a better workflow for seniors, and also easing pressure on their limbs too.”

Points to remember to achieve ergonomically-sound design

In the process of enhancing products ergonomically for aged users, Prof. Chan said that industrial designers must bear the following physical needs of the elderly in mind: 1. Deteriorated cognitive abilities; 2. Decreased visual and auditory senses; and 3.  Decreased muscle strengths and endurance. He said, “For most aged persons, their attention and short-term memory may not be as good as before. It could be the reason to explain that it is common for them to have difficulties to use devices which require multi-switch operations and password controlled access. Other precautions are small prints and buttons (demanding eye-sight) and sound-induced operation (demanding hearing). These are all the points that we have to bear in mind when designing an item on ergonomics principles.”

Other than the problems mentioned above, decreased physical capability such as strengths and endurance is another issue an aged customer has to face. Prof. Chan said, “Designers can consider adding some extra devices on traditional designs to make them more convenient for users with physical difficulties or special needs. For instance, a designer had added a little foldable seat on a walking stick, to allow the user to sit down wherever necessary.”

Market potential for ergonomic products

Aside from walking or using ATM, a third problem faced by aging users is the handling of small tools. To allow old people to engage in activities normally in kitchen or on some other housework, Prof. Chan offers the following advices, “The chief objective of ergonomics on small tools designs should focus on the handles. For most of the time, tools are to be designed as a form of expanded and extended handles. The materials are preferred to be light-weighted, non-slipped and soft. These specifications are particularly useful when old people are more inclined to suffer from joint and soft tissue diseases.”

“All ergonomics designs must take into unique factors case by case. Unless the members of a user group are similar in age, body built and capabilities such as in the army or police force, otherwise there is no ‘hard and fast’ rules to adhere to in the design of products. Again, testing and evidence to support the claim of an ergonomically-sound product is very important.”

To consolidate their positions in the market, Prof. Chan suggested that all ergonomics ware manufacturers must first take a micro view in the design process. The best approach would be to develop ergonomic wares in a series or a set, instead of as a single product, which can work together to ensure maximum benefits for users.

Although ergonomic products seem a new-found to most manufacturers, Prof. Chan pointed to its vast potential in the North American and European markets, “Senior citizens now form a significant part of the consumer population in the USA and Canada . Since their medicare expenses are covered by their respective welfare entitlement, for example all aged Canadians are entitled to allowance up to a few hundred dollars for buying ergonomic wares, there are ample opportunities for manufacturers.”

In order to widen the application of ergonomics in daily uses and in industrial design processes, tertiary institutions worldwide have been undertaking research in the subject. At the same time, trainings in ergonomic principles are provided to a new generation of industrial designers, helping them to apply such concepts in designing new merchandises.