Co-Design Report, Livable Bathrooms for Older People

Abstract

This report describes the Co-Design research process carried out between 2012 and 2015 as a component of the Livable Bathrooms for Older People Project. It details the findings of the research and explains, in depth, how each step of the Co-Design investigation was conducted. Co-Design is a means of supporting the creation of successful designs through working closely with the people who will use them. Consultation with a participatory Co-Design group advising on research directions and methods, in collaboration with members of the research team, has been a key component of the Livable Bathroom Project. The Livable Bathrooms Co-Design group consisted of six healthy older people ranging in age from mid-sixties to mid eighties. The Co-Design group’s role involved input into the research methods to guide and validate our research approach. They also participated in collaborative design workshops where their input and ideas provided insights to better “design” a bathroom environment for the future, i.e. bathroom products that are safer, more supportive for those with functional issues, more usable and more desirable and attractive. Using an action-based approach to the research, the Co-Design group has been involved in activities that allowed them to actively collaborate on assessing and developing the research findings discussed in this report. This approach has ensured that findings of the Co-Design research are directly relevant to design practice. This report details the problems and concerns identified with existing domestic bathrooms for current and future use. It outlines a set of guiding principles to help designers meet the needs of older people. Overall, the findings can be classified into the following themes: o Safety – Ensure the environment is safe for older people and minimizes the risk of accidents, particularly falls. If an accident occurs, the environment should not cause additional harm and should enable rapid assistance. o Supportive and comfortable – the bathroom environment and fixtures should support older people in performing activities with ease. This includes providing adequate space, ample physical support, easy reach and access, adequate lighting and comfortable temperature while carrying out bathroom activities. o Easy Cleaning – The bathroom environment and fixture design should reduce the amount of cleaning required through good ventilation, lighting, smooth surfaces and easy access.