بررسی مشکلات سالمندان پیر با هدف طراحی تخت‌خواب مختص آنها

Introduction and purpose: Elderly population growth rate has accelerated compared to other age groups in the present era. Forecasts suggest that the highest rates of population growth would happen in this age group in developing countries, including Iran. The World Health Organization has classified the elderlies into three categories including young-old, old-old, and Oldest-old. Physical weakness becomes apparent after passing from the initial elderly years to old-old period. Elderlies require spending longer periods of time in beds as a result of muscle weakness and physical disability in the elderly and the diseases caused by aging. Arthritis, osteoporosis, musculoskeletal disorders, and side effects of the some disease such as myocardial infarction and stroke are some of aging-associated diseases. This article aims to discover the care-related problems in old elderlies and study the at-rest-related problems. Materials and Methods: Direct observation, monitoring, and interviews with 20 geriatric physicians, and 5 specialized nurses for elderly were employed in this study. Unstructured interviews were conducted so that the objective was clear; however, the questions were not prearranged. They were more like a ‘guided conservation’ than a strict structured interview. The interviews were seeking factors in order to identify the old elderly-associated diseases and treatments. The length of interviews varied and they were conducted in the University of Welfare and Rehabilitation, Rofeide Rehabilitation Hospital, and Kahrizak Care, Treatment, and Education Center for the Disabled and Elderly. Findings and Conclusion: The results showed that paying attention to the elderly`s independence in the conduct of their personal affairs, the importance of easy use, meeting primary and secondary needs related to bed, and comfort and ease in elderly care in physical and psychological levels are the most important factors which need to be taken into account in bed design for elderlies. As a result, 13 items were extracted which led to an appropriate bed design to accommodate elderly`s needs.