Ergonomic Assessment of Old Age Homes in Haryana
Loading...
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
Old age is a period of transition when one has to deal not only with the physical aging, but also with the challenges affecting the mental and social well-being. Due to the urbanization and job requirement of the young people, nuclear family system is fast coming up leaving the older people neglected, consequently, having no choice other than living in old age homes. Present study was conducted in randomly selected Hisar and Sirsa districts in Haryana state. One OAH having the maximum number of inmates in each district was selected purposively. OAH selected from Hisar was Moksha old age home (OAH-1) and from Sirsa it was Kasturba Gandhi varidhaaasram (OAH-2). In the selected old age home there were 50 inmates out of which 42 inmates from Hisar and 8 inmates from Sirsa were selected. A set of 13 independent variables (personal and socio-economic) and two dependent variables constituted the variables for the study. The results regarding socio-economic and personal profile of the respondents revealed that 44.0 per cent of the respondents were in age group of 70-80 years, illiterate (46.0%), widow/widower (70.0%), belonged to general category (54.0%), had joint family system (62.0%) and medium family size (40.0%). Less than three-fourth of the respondents (74.0%) had poor vision followed by constipation (66.0%), dental problem (64.0%) and joint pains (50.0%). Temperature of the OAH-1 was 26.5oC and OAH-2 was 27oC which was little higher than the recommended value. Humidity of the old age home was 47.3% and 49.0% in the OAH-1 and OAH-2 respectively which was less than recommended value. In bedroom; bed, table and chair were not ergonomically designed, floor was slippery, and cupboard was away from bed. In bathroom handrails, adjustable shower, lever –type tap and lever-type door handle were not available and stairways was not slippery, handrails on both side and proper lighting at stairs was only in OAH-1and OAH-2 suitable ramp height and handrails were not available. The habitat room‟s facilities, viz.room, dormitory, attached bathroom, cupboards, room heater and room cooler were available except the single rooms and three seater rooms. Results revealed that majority of the respondents (84.0%) were able to go to toilet by their own, able to eat, bath and dress them without any assistance. Respondents were functionally able in toileting and feeding activities, moderately dependent in grooming and severely dependent in activities of bathing. Overall housing hazards related to furniture got first rank, followed by stairs, whereas bedrooms got third rank and toilet got fourth rank. Bathrooms and entrance got fifth and sixth rank. Correlation between socio-economic variables and housing hazards and health problems were found significant at 5 % level of significance. Overall ergonomic conditions in the old age home were not up to the mark.