BEHAVIOR AND CONSCIOUSNESS OF BATHROOM SPACE UTILIZATION OF THE ELDERLY IN TAIWAN

抄録

The purpose of this research is to discuss the behavior and consciousness of the elderly in utilization of bathroom space in Taiwan, find where the problem is and try to give suggestion about a safer and more convenient bathroom for them. Observation interviews and consciousness questionnaires are used in this research. The observation interviews are towards two groups of the elderly who live in residential and retirement homes. The residential homes are classed to three categories, which are one-storeyed houses, town houses, and apartments. The retirement homes are classed by public and private. From observing we found the bathroom in residential homes is minimal, but the equipments inside are well-pointed. The share with bathroom will affect the elderly to change their habits. The retirement homes mostly consider the physical characteristic of elderly, the handgrip and no doorsill are two good examples. Now the bathroom in generally house cannot afford the needs of the elderly and most of them have problems in their regular life unconsciously. In addition, living with their children make them be used of children's habits and hold the needs themselves back.