Designing for the Life Span Segment 3

Slide 69 Content

Summary Conclusions - Design Response to Physiological Changes:

An obvious solution to increasing utilization of tools has been the increase in size of handles... the latest version of this design response being the Oxo collection of kitchen utensils;
So-called "child-proof" containers present difficulties in that many designs are in opposition to ease of use by older adults...both from a short term memory and learning perspective and from a strength and dexterity perspective;
With reductions of gripping and prehension strength reduced among older adults, turning lids, pushing small buttons on spray containers and exerting specific force to cut, tear or remove requires careful study and experimentation - with older users - during the design process.

Appropriate design responses to physiological changes include...