Constraints for Older Patients [1]:
- Large fonts
- In home as much as possible
- Sturdy armrest
- Extra thick/soft bedding to prevent ulcers
- Upholstery soft/smooth/easily cleaned with no seams
- Non slip
- Natural light to prevent delirium
- 3-4 times as much light for visible clarity
- Reduce patterns due to confusion/sensitivity
- Color
- Avoid mixing cool greens/blues do to difficulty differentiation
- Yellow is most visible
- Orange/red are attention grabbing
- Blue appears gray
- Sensitive to loud sounds
Physical Therapy Constraints:
- Reduce cost due to insurance companies
- Ease of use
- Low time requirement for any at home exercise
- Low time requirements for therapists at work
- Simplistic for at home
- Allow physical therapists to be noticeably engaged with patients
- Allow for a variety of different walking/mobility equipment
- Products should support improved posture of patient
References:
[1] American College of Emergency Physicians, The American Geriatrics Society, Emergency Nurses Association, and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, “Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines,” 2013