DESIGNING THE AGE-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FILIPINO ELDERLY

THROUGH ANTHROPOMETRICS AND ERGONOMIC STANDARDS: A RESEARCH THROUGH DESIGN OF THE DUMAGUETE CITY
SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER.

A Research Presented to

The Department of Architecture

Silliman University

Dumaguete City

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

By

Bien Carlos E. Via

November 2018
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ABSTRACT

Title of the Study: Designing the Age-Friendly Environment for the Filipino Elderly through Anthropometric and Ergonomic Standards: A Research through
design of the Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs in Dumaguete City.

Author: Bien Carlos E. Via

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Architecture

School: Silliman University

School Address: Dumaguete City, Philippines

Date of Completion: October 29, 2018

A lot of body changes occur as people age. Some refer to ageing as having more experiences and privileges, some expressed that ageing means
change, loss and being unable to do anything. This study aims to contribute in regaining the sense of independence and dignity among the elderly population
of the Philippines by pioneering a guideline that addresses these body changes or the age-related effects. This study also responds to the mandate of the
World Health Organization to design age-friendly cities around the world through anthropometrics and ergonomics. As a study that intends to pioneer
ergonomic guidelines for the Filipino elderly, the study focuses on three areas of the built environment namely, the residential environment, the workplace
environment and public outdoor spaces.

To accomplish this objective, the Researcher of this study gathered the anthropometric data of 72 senior citizen respondents from different barangays
of Dumaguete City. As recommended by Pheasant (Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics and the design of work , 2003), 32 body dimensions were
collected from the senior citizen respondents. The anthropometric data gathered were then ranked from 5 th until the 95th percentiles to create ergonomic
recommendations on the specific environments covered by this study. The ergonomic guidelines synthesized in this study are based on the age-related effects
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gathered from secondary data and literatures. The Four Cardinal Constraints of ergonomics where used in determining the appropriate dimensions to be used
in the guideline namely, Reach, Posture, Clearance and Strength

The study reveals that there are 32 body dimensions to be gathered in standardizing the anthropometric data of the Filipino elderly
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESIGNING THE AGE-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FILIPINO ELDERLY ............................................................................................ i

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... iv

LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ x

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. xi

CHAPTER I ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Rationale ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Background ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Related Literature................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6

Ageing and its Associated Changes in the Body ................................................................................................................................................ 6

The Loss of Independence of the Elderly due to the Effects of Ageing ........................................................................................................... 11

The Need and the Mandate to Design the “Age-Friendly” Environment ......................................................................................................... 12

Age-friendly residential environment ............................................................................................................................................................... 12

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Age-friendly environment in the workplace ..................................................................................................................................................... 14

Age-friendly public outdoor spaces. ................................................................................................................................................................. 19

The Age-Friendly Philippines ........................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Existing Standards for the People with Disabilities (PWD) ............................................................................................................................. 23

Anthropometry in the Vitruvian Man, the Modulor & the Furnicube .............................................................................................................. 24

The Principles & Practice of Anthropometry ................................................................................................................................................... 26

The Thirty-two Body Dimensions by Pheasant ................................................................................................................................................ 26

The Four Cardinal Constraints .......................................................................................................................................................................... 30

The Principles of Ergonomics ........................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Related Studies.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 31

Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 35

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 37

Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 37

Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 38

Scope and Limitations........................................................................................................................................................................................... 39

METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Environment ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Respondents ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
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Instruments .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Gathering of Data .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Treatment of Data ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

DEFINITION OF TERMS .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

CHAPTER II ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA .......................................................................................................................... 9

Translating the Anthropometric Data into Ergonomic Standards......................................................................................................................... 12

Ergonomics in the residential environment .......................................................................................................................................................... 13

Closets ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Kitchen Countertops ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Ergonomics in the workplace................................................................................................................................................................................ 28

Spaces to Concentrate ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Spaces to Collaborate ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 39

Ergonomics in Public Outdoor Spaces ................................................................................................................................................................. 45

Benches and Wall Seating ................................................................................................................................................................................ 45

Pathways ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47

Lawns and Gardens ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 48

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The Proposal for the Dumaguete Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs ...................................................................... 49

Values and Goals of the Project ............................................................................................................................................................................ 51

Age-friendliness and Accessibility ................................................................................................................................................................... 51

Enabling Environment ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 51

Sense of Community ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 52

Sense of Home .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 52

Sustainability..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 52

Site Selection ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 52

Site Analysis ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54

Street Patterns ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 55

Perspective relationship or views...................................................................................................................................................................... 56

Natural and Man-made Elements...................................................................................................................................................................... 57

Climate – Sun Angles and Shadows ................................................................................................................................................................. 59

Climate – Wind Path ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 60

Architectural Programming .................................................................................................................................................................................. 61

Roles and Functions of the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs ...................................................................................................................... 61

Roles and Functions of the Senior Citizen Center ............................................................................................................................................ 63

Spatial Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 63

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Space Allocation ................................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Relationship Matrices ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 66

Ergonomic Design Requirements ......................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

Schematic Design.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 85

Design Philosophy ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 85

Design Concepts ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 85

Translations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 85

CHAPTER III ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 89

SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................ 89

Findings................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 89

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 93

The standards or artefacts that should be included in the ergonomic design guidelines for the elderly. ......................................................... 93

What are the body dimensions to be collected in coming up with an anthropometric standard for the elderly? ............................................. 93

Suitable ergonomic standards for the Filipino Elderly ..................................................................................................................................... 95

Integrating the constraints of anthropometrics & age-related effects in order to come up with a specific criteria to its respective artefact. .. 95

Recommendations ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 96

WORKS CITED ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 100

APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 103

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APPENDIX B ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 104

APPENDIX C ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 105

RAW FILE DATA DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESPONDENTS (FEMALE) ......................................................................................................... 105

APPENDIX D ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 106

RAW FILE DATA DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESPONDENTS (MALE) .............................................................................................................. 106

CURRICULUM VITAE ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 107

Date and Place of Birth, Nationality, current residentce .................................................................................................................................... 107

Education and Degrees Awarded ........................................................................................................................................................................ 107

Previous Extracurricular Involvements............................................................................................................................................................... 107

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LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE I PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF WORLD POPULATION 60 OR OVER BY REGION, 2006 AND 2050 ................................................ 2
FIGURE II ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 35
FIGURE III ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
FIGURE IV ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
FIGURE XXXIX ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
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LIST OF TABLES
TABLE I .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
TABLE II ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
TABLE III ...........................................................................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
TABLE IV ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 55
TABLE V. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 56
TABLE VI ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 57
TABLE VII ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 58
TABLE VIII ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59
TABLE IX ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 60
TABLE X SPACE IDENTIFICATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN AFFAIRS ............................................................................. 63
TABLE XI SPACE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER .......................................................................................................... 64
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale
As people age, a lot of changes in the body occur. These changes occur in the physical or biological aspect of the human body (Besdine, 2018). Due
to these changes, age-related effects are correlated such as the age related effects on hand strength, visual functions, hearing (Denno , et al., 1992), mobility,
muscles, bones, joints, sensory & perception, balance, touch and position & movement (Whitbourne, 2001).

While ageing is a natural biological phenomenon, some refer to ageing as having more experiences and having privileges. Some expressed that
getting older means you are getting wiser. However, some people expressed that ageing means change, loss and not being able to do anything. They felt that
when they age, they lose their dignity and independence (Chen, 2001). In a news article in The Telegraph, Hough (2010) reports that there are more people
who feared being ill and incapable in their old age rather than dying. He states that there are three out of four people who feared getting ill in ageing while
only 29 percent feared dying. According to Elizabeth (2015) the elderly is quietly suffering because of the independence they have lost. The side effects of
limiting the freedom of dignity of seniors are serious. A decline in ability to perform daily activities, increased reliance on others for assistance, and
increased risk of social isolation are factors that takes away the elderly’s sense of independence. According to Lifespeak (2017), loss of independence in
ageing is also a possible cause of mental illnesses among the elderly along with pharmaceutical interactions. No longer feeling as vital or capable can have
negative effects on your psyche, especially when you were former active. Basing on these evidences, it can be inferred that ageing is mostly associated with
the loss of independence because of the emerging physical disabilities. This association is not supposed to be taken lightly as all of us age through time and
that the risk for these disabilities as we age is not avoidable. In other words, all of us at some point in our lives, have the risk losing independence.
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In addition, the world is rapidly ageing. The number of people aged 60 and over as a proportion of the global population will double from 11% in
2006 by 22% by 2050. By then, there will be older people than children (aged 0-14 years) in the population for the first time in human history. Developing
countries are ageing at a much faster rate than developed countries: within five decades, just over 80% of the world’s older people will be living in
developing countries compared to 60% in 2005 (World Health Organization , 2007). This includes the Philippines.

FIGURE I PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF WORLD POPULATION 60 OR OVER BY REGION, 2006 AND 2050

(World Health Organization , 2007)

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The World Health Organization (World Health Organization , 2007) also states that more old people are also living in cities. The proportion of the
older adult population residing in cities in developed countries matches that of younger groups at about 80%, and will rise at the same pace. In developing
countries, however, the share of older people in urban communities will multiply 16 times from about 56 million in 1998 to over 908 million in 2050. By
that time, older people will comprise one fourth of the total urban population in less developed countries. This data presented by the Organization has made
them to conclude that in order to be sustainable despite the increase in the elderly population, cities must provide structures and services to support their
resident’s wellbeing and productivity. Older people in particular require supportive and enabling living environments to compensate for physical and social
changes associated with ageing. They also add that making cities more age-friendly is a necessary and logical response to promote the wellbeing and
contributions of older urban residents and keep cities thriving. Hence, the necessity to design the built environment with the welfare of the ageing population
in mind.

With these prevailing conditions in mind, ergonomics and anthropometrics will be useful in addressing them. Ergonomics is the science of work – of
the people who do it and the ways it is done, the tools and equipment they use, the places they work in, and the psychosocial aspects of the working situation.
If an object, a system or an environment is intended for human use, then its design should be based upon the physical and mental characteristics of those who
use it (Pheasant, 2003). Pheasant also defines anthropometry as the branch of human sciences that deals with body measurements particularly with
measurements of body size, shape, strength and working capacity. Anthropometrics and ergonomics can be of help in providing and keeping the elderly’s
sense of independence. Through these sciences and applications, the elderly will be able to do more even in basic tasks that will diminish their feeling of
isolation and the feeling of no longer vital in the society.

Ergonomics in the built environment contributes to the WHO’s proposal of becoming an “age-friendly” city. The outside environment and public
buildings have major impact on the mobility, independence and quality life of older people and affect their ability to “age in place.” Older people and others
who interact significantly with them describe a broad range of characteristics of the urban landscape and built environment that contribute to age-
friendliness. The recurring themes in cities around the world are quality of life, access and safety. (World Health Organization , 2007)
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While ergonomics and anthropometrics are useful fields in addressing the problem, a specialized anthropometric standard for the elderly is necessary.
Fernihough & McGovern (2014 ) documented the reduction in height using repeated observations on objectively measured data. They state that the reduction
in height is an important phenomenon among respondents aged 50 and over. According to their data, physical stature decline on the average occurs at an
annual rate between 0.08% and 0.10% for males, and 0.12% and 0.14% for females – which approximately translates into a 2 cm to 4 cm reduction in height
over the life course.

The findings of the authors mentioned proves the statement of Perissinotto et. Al (Perissinotto, Sergi, Grigoletto, & Enzi, 2002) that the
anthropometric standards derived from adult populations may not be appropriate for the elderly because of body composition changes occurring during
ageing. This also suggest that a specific anthropometric data for the elderly are necessary.

According to the B.P. 344 (Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, 1983), the rules and regulations will provide minimum requirements and standards to make
buildings, facilities and utilities for public use accessible to disabled persons. This has become significant for the elderly because their population have been
categorized by the Law as Disabled Persons. In other words, the rules and regulations set forth in the Law are aimed for their own benefit. It is in the purpose
of addressing “Impairments due to conditions of aging and coordination.” However, the B.P. 344 lacks provisions on standards for environments that are
significant for the elderly such as Elderly Residence and Long-Term Care Facilities, the work environment and some other features of the public and urban
spaces.

Compensating these lacking provisions will be a key factor towards the improvement of the “age-friendliness” of the Philippines through the
ergonomic design of these specific environments. The World Health Organization (World Health Organization , 2007) provides the guidelines for
Residential facilities for people unable to live at home. Although, they have not provided ergonomic standards for this area, it is in the belief of the author
that coming up with ergonomic standards will bring the “age-friendliness” of the Country in a leverage of attaining the goal. It was also provided in the
WHO guideline for “age-friendliness” the older people do not stop contributing to their communities on retirement. Many continue to provide unpaid and
voluntary work for their families and communities. Economic circumstances has lead the older people to take paid work long after they should have retired.
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It emphasizes that to be an age-friendly city, its community should provide options for older people to continue contributing to their communities, through
paid employment or voluntary work if they so choose, and to be engaged in political progress.

In the Philippine context, a study entitled Filipino Living Arrangements, Work Activity and Labor Income as Old-age Support by Racelis et. Al
(Racelis, Abrigo, & Salas, 2012) also stated that the results from the 2007 National Transfer Accounts (NTA) for the Philippines showed that consumption
of the elderly 58 years and older, the elderly (lifecycle) deficit age group, is financed only partly from own earnings. That is, labor income is not sufficient to
cover the consumption requirement of this group and the balance is financed by other sources including (household) transfers, asset income and a very small
portion from public transfers including public pensions. As expected, the share of the elderly consumption financed by own earning decline while the share
of private transfers increase with age. With the stated increase of population among the older people in the country, it will be inevitable that most of the
elderly (if not all) would desire to add to the labor work force of the country. Therefore, ergonomic standards in the work environment will be significant
should the government intend to address the need for the older people’s contribution to its labor work force.

In summary, it is essential that a specific ergonomic and anthropometric standard for the ageing population should be significant in the residential,
working and open spaces. These specific standards will then supplement the existing PWD standards such as the B.P. 344. Due to these existing conditions,
this study aims to come up with ergonomic standards for the Filipino Elderly within the selected environments by using qualitative methodologies for elderly
anthropometrics. The standards that will be synthesized will then be applied and validated through the design of the Senior Citizen Center of Dumaguete
City in order to exhibit how these standards will be applied and to pin-point other elements of the built environment and human habitation that will be
recommended to be considered in coming up with elderly ergonomic standards.
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Background

Related Literature.
This review cites changes in the body as the age increase and eventually brings forth impairments and difficulties in doing basic tasks (Besdine,
2018; Isle , Denno , & Metz,1992; Whitbourne, 2001). This loss of independence is then associated with ageing (Chen, 2001; Hough, 2010; Elizabeth, 2015;
Life Speak, 2017). The review also contains the need and madate of cities around to world to become age-friendly (World Health Organization , 2007). With
this mandate, there is a need for an age-friendly environment for residential spaces (World Health Organization , 2007; Sarkissian & Stenberg, 2013),
workplace environments (World Health Organization , 2007; Racelis, Abrigo, & Salas, 2012; Smith , 2008), and public outdoor spaces (World Health
Organization , 2007; Sarkissian & Stenberg, 2013). While the need and madate is evident, the age-friendly programs that caters to the welfare of the Filipino
ageing population is also enumerated (Ageing Population in the Philippines, 2015). With the aim of an age-friendly environment in the Country, the existing
standards that caters the People with Disabilities aimed to be enhanced through ergonomic standards (Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, 1983; 2010 ADA Standards
for Accessible Design, 2010; Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data, 1999; Planning and Designers hand book, 2002). This review also contains the
background on the origins of anthropometrics throught the works of Vitruvius, Le Corbusier and Salvan along with its strength and weakness through
criticisms (Otswald, 2001; Ghabash, 2014). The principles and practice of anthropometry is also reviewed along with the Four Cardinal Constraints which is
defined as the observable, preferably measurable, characteristics of human beings, which has consequences for the design of a particular item (Pheasant,
2003). Additional to the review is the Principles of Ergonomics (McLeod , 1992) which is essential in coming up with ergonomic postural requirements that
should be compensated by the immediate environment.

Ageing and its Associated Changes in the Body

As people age, a lot of changes in the body occur. These changes occur in the physical or biological aspect of the human body. Besdine (Besdine,
2018) enumerates certain physical decline of the elderly. 1.) As cells age, they function less well. Eventually, old cells must die, as a normal part of the
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body’s functioning. Old cells sometimes die because they are programmed to do so. The genes of cells program a process that, when triggered, results in
death of the cell. This programmed death, called apoptosis, is a kind of cell suicide. The aging of a cell is one trigger. Old cells must die to make room for
new cells. Other triggers include an excess number of cells and possibly damage to a cell. Old cells also die because they can divide only a limited number of
times. This limit is programmed by genes. When a cell can no longer divide, it grows larger, exists for a while and then dies. 2.) Bones tend to become less
dense. Loss of bone density is osteoporosis. With osteoporosis, bones become weaker and more likely to break. In women, loss of bone density speeds up
after menopause because less estrogen is produced. Estrogen helps prevent too much bone from being broken down during the body’s normal process of
forming, breaking down, and re-forming bone. 3.) The amount of muscle tissue or muscle mass and muscle strength tend to decrease beginning around the
age of 30 and continuing throughout life. Some of the decrease is caused by decreasing levels of growth hormone and testosterone, which stimulate muscle
development. Also, muscles cannot contract as quickly because more fast-contracting muscle fibers are lost than slow-contracting muscle fibers. However,
aging effects reduce muscle mass and strength by no more than about 10-15% during an adult’s lifetime. These listed changes are just some of the factors
that come along with the aging population. Other factors include those that involve the organs, eyes (vision), ears (hearing), mouth and nose, skin, brain and
nervous system, heart and blood vessels, muscles of breathing and the lungs, digestive system, kidneys and urinary tract, reproductive organs, endocrine
system, blood production and the immune system.

Isle et al. (Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992) also cites the disabling conditions on the Human Factors Design Guidelines for the Elderly and People with
Disabilities such as the Age-Related Effects on Hand Strength, Age-Related effects on Visual Functions and the Age-related effects on hearing. Age-related
effects on hand strength, according to Isle et al. (Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992) is when actual strengths and percentage decreases as the age increases such as
hand grip, lateral pinch, tip pinch strength and palmar pinch. Second, Isle et al (Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992) has also cited the types of age-related effects
on visual functions in terms of refractive power, accommodation, acuity, dark adaptation, color vision, temporal resolution, depth perception & the visual
field. Finally, the age-related effects on hearing are classified as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Conductive hearing loss occurs when the external ear
malfunctions in the gathering of sound, obstruction of the external auditory canal or when the transfer of sound energy to the cochlea by the eardrum or
ossicles of the middle ear is inefficient or incomplete. Mixed hearing losses also occurs when there exist elements of both hearing disorders – conductive or
sensorineural. They also state that presbycusis also happen in aging when gradual reduction in hearing reduces while the age is advancing. The elderly can
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have greater speech discrimination impairment than young adults, although hearing ability is the same for both groups. Isle et al. also provides hearing
thresholds that provides the degree of impairment that a certain range of loudness in decibels can bring as shown in Table I.

TABLE I
HEARING THRESHOLD OF THE ELDERLY
(Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992)

Loudness in Decibles (dB) Degree of Impairment

0 to 20 Normal

20 to 40 Mild

40 to 55 Moderate

55 to 70 Moderately Severe

70 to 90 Severe

Greater than 90 Profound deafness

In the book by Whitbourne (Whitbourne, 2001), Adult development and Aging: Biopsychosocial perspectives, a more holistic and comprehensive
classification of the changes in the elderly were cited. Whitbourne cites the body changes of the elderly in areas such as, Mobility, Muscles, Bones, Joints,
Vision, Hearing, Balance, Touch and Position & Movement.
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According to Whitbourne, mobility, beginning at the age of 40 undergoes significant age-related losses. There exist a gradual reduction of the speed
of walking, and joint pain develops leading to restriction of movement in daily activities. A progressive loss of muscle mass is also associated in the adult
years in which it is also known as sarcopenia where the number and size of muscle fibers are reduced, especially the fibers responsible for muscle strength.
In line with this, the arterial cartilage also begins to develop that interferes with the smooth movement of the bones against each other and the fibers in the
joint capsule become less pliable, reducing flexibility. Unlike muscles, joints do not benefit from constant use. On the contrary, these deterioration processes
are directly related to the amount of stress placed on joints. Because of this deterioration, exercise cannot compensate for or prevent age-related changes.
However, precautions taken in the early adulthood can reduce the chance of losses in middle age. Most important is proper footwear, particularly during
exercise. People who engage in occupational activities that involve repetitive motions of the wrist should attempt to minimize damage by use of
ergonomically designed accessories. As we age, Whitbourne also states that a variety of changes occur in the area of sensory and perception. These changes
include the quality of input that reaches the brain to be integrated in subsequent stages of information processing such as the vision, hearing, and balance.
Whitbourne establishes that visual acuity shows a consistent drop across the years of adulthood as measured by the Snellen chart. It is indicated that the level
of acuity in an 85-year old is about 80% less than that of a person in the 40s. By raising the level of illumination, it is possible to compensate somewhat for
this loss, but in dimly lit surroundings, older people have a great deal more trouble when they must observe details at a distance. On the other hand, adults
over the age of 40 years are sensitive to glare, so sudden increases in light or exposure to bright scattered light can impair rather than improve visual acuity.
Age-related macular degeneration, in which there is a destruction of the photoreceptors located in the central region known as the macula. This are of the
retina is dense in receptors and normally used for central vision in tasks such as reading, driving and other visually demanding activities. Therefore, the
selective damage to the receptors in the macula that occurs in this disease causes severe vision loss. Hearing loss can occur in two forms later in life. Because
they are so common, they are considered a normal component of the aging process. Age-related alterations in the vestibular system that controls balance
contribute to increased risk of falling in older adults. In addition to muscular weakness, joint stiffness and loss of bone density discussed earlier, older
individuals are more susceptible to dizziness, vertigo and difficulty detecting body position. They are therefore more likely to lose their balance or fail to see
a step or an obstacle in their path on a level surface. Heightened body sway can lead to postural instability, which can cause the person to fall spontaneously.
Compensation for deficits or abnormalities of the vestibular system involves ensuring proper eyeglass prescriptions, use of a prosthetic aid in walking,
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outfitting the home with balance aids such as handrails, and developing greater sensitivity to the need to take care while walking. Whitbourne suggests
methods on how to compensate for the changes in the vestibular function. The individual should attempt to correct sensory losses in other areas that could
contribute to faulty balance. Second, an older individual vestibular problems can obtain an aid to balance such as walking stick and learn how to use it. In the
home, it is important to find ways to substitute sitting for standing in situations that might pose a risk. For example, a shower chair or bath bench can be used
in the tub, and a hand-held shower head can be installed. The individual can also get used to sitting while performing ordinary grooming tasks around the
bathroom. This further reduces the need to maintain balance while engaging in delicate operations such as shaving. Similar adaptations can be made in the
kitchen, such as sitting down rather than standing at the counter to cut vegetables. Buying a cordless telephone is another useful strategy so that it is not
necessary to run (and possibly fall) when trying to answer a phone in another room. In addition to such practical remedies, older individuals can learn to
develop greater sensitivity to the need to be careful when moving from one floor surface to another, such as onto a tile floor from a carpet. This type of
adjustment is particularly important when the individual is in an unfamiliar environment. Similarly, the individual should develop the habit of waiting a
minute or two when getting up from a horizontal position. Reminding oneself of the need to use railings on stair way is another useful adjustment, or if there
is no railing, using the wall to balance oneself when moving up or down the stairs.

The somasensory system, as defined by Whitbourne in Adult Development Aging: Biopsychosocial Perspectives (Whitbourne, 2001), is generally
responsible for the transduction of the physical stimuli into neural impulses. It is divided into two major subsystems. First are the skin, senses of touch, pain
pressure and temperature and secondly, a system that allows for the detection of movement of the body’s and limbs. Position is mediated by the sense called
proprioception, which provides information about where the limbs are placed when the person is standing still. Proprioception is the bodily sense that
provides information about where the limbs are placed when the person is standing still. Kinesthesis applies to the knowledge that receptors in the limbs
provide when the body is moving. Through proprioception, you would know that you are poised at the top of a staircase, ready to go, and through kinesthesis
you would know that you are actually moving down the stairs. In aging, there is a link of loss of the ability to discriminate touch with the aging process
throughout adulthood. Age differences have been documented in such areas as the ability to discriminate the separation of two points of pressure on the skin
and the detection of the location of a stimulus applied to the skin. However, the effects may vary by body part. The hands and feet are particularly subject to
the effects of aging compared to areas located more centrally, such as the lip and tongue. The increase in threshold (loss of acuity) on the big toe is estimated
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to be 400% over the course of the life span, at least from childhood to advanced old age. The fingertip loses 130% over the years from youth to old age.
These are significant losses indeed, and they can compromise the adult’s ability to grasp, maintain balance, and perform delicate hard work. Lastly, the
changes in the perception of position and movement adds to the many contributions already seen to the increased likelihood of falls among older people and
is an evidence that reduced proprioception in the lower limbs is an addition risk factor for falling. Although it is not a major addition to the formula of age-
related changes that contribute to loss of balance, the ability to sense the position of the feet and legs seems to add at least a measurable element to the risk of
falling.

The Loss of Independence of the Elderly due to the Effects of Ageing

While ageing is a natural biological phenomenon, some refer to ageing as having more experiences and having privileges. Some expressed that
getting older means you are getting wiser. However, some people expressed that ageing means change, loss and not being able to do anything. They felt that
when they age, they lose their dignity and independence (Chen, 2001). Hough (2010) reports that there are more people who feared being ill and incapable in
their old age rather than dying. He states that there are three out of four people who feared getting ill in ageing while only 29 percent feared dying.
According to Elizabeth (2015) the elderly is quietly suffering because of the independence they have lost. The side effects of limiting the freedom of dignity
of seniors are serious. A decline in ability to perform daily activities, increased reliance on others for assistance, and increased risk of social isolation are
factors that takes away the elderly’s sense of independence. According to Lifespeak (2017), loss of independence in ageing is also a possible cause of mental
illnesses among the elderly along with pharmaceutical interactions. No longer feeling as vital or capable can have negative effects on your psyche, especially
when you were former active. Basing on these evidences, it can be inferred that ageing is mostly associated with the loss of independence because of the
emerging physical disabilities. This association is not supposed to be taken lightly as all of us age through time and that the risk for these disabilities as we
age is not avoidable. In other words, all of us at some point in our lives, have the risk losing independence.
 12

The Need and the Mandate to Design the “Age-Friendly” Environment

The World Health Organization established a guideline for cities around the world to become “age friendly (World Health Organization , 2007). As
cited in the guideline, the world is rapidly ageing. The number of people aged 60 and over as a proportion of the global population will double from 11%
from 2006 by 22% by 2050. By then, there will be older people than children (aged 0-14 years) in the population for the first time in human history.
Developing countries are ageing at a much faster rate than developed countries: within five decades, just over 80% of the world’s older people will be living
in developing countries compared to 60% in 2005. The World health Organization also states that the number of older people living in cities is continually
increasing. The proportion of the older population living in cities of developed countries matches that of the younger groups at about 80% and will rise at the
same pace. On the other hand, the share of older people in the urban communities of developing countries will multiply 16 times from 56 million in 998 to
over 908 million by 2050. Older people will be consisting one fourth of the total urban population in developing countries. The world health organization has
made use of this data to conclude that despite the increase of the elderly population, cities should be able to provide structures and services to support their
resident’s wellbeing and productivity in order to be sustainable throughout the upcoming changes. The World Health Organization also emphasizes that
older people in particular require supportive and enabling environments to compensate for physical and social changes associated with ageing. They also add
that making cities more age-friendly is a necessary and logical response to promote the wellbeing and contributions of older urban residents and keep cities
thriving. The guideline towards the “age friendly” city also adds that the outside environment and public buildings have major impact on the mobility,
independence and quality life of older people and affect their ability to “age in place.” Older people and others who interact significantly with them describe
a broad range of characteristics of the urban landscape and built environment that contribute to age-friendliness. The recurring themes in cities around the
world are quality of life, access and safety.

Age-friendly residential environment

In the Global age-friendly cities: A guide by the WHO, it is stated that housing is essential to safety and well-being. Not surprisingly, people
consulted by WHO in all regions have much to say on different of housing structure, design, location and choice. There is a link between appropriate
housing and access to community and social services in influencing the independence and quality of life of older people. They emphasize that housing and
 13

support that allow older people to age comfortably and safely within the community to which they belong are universally valued (World Health Organization
, 2007).

Along with the provisions affordability and essential services, it also emphasizes in their guide (Global age-friendly cities: A guide , 2007) the
provisions on the design, modification and maintenance on housing. Several aspects of housing design are considered to affect the ability of older people to
live comfortably at home. In general, it is considered important for older people to live in accommodation that is built from adequate materials and structural
sound, has even surfaces, elevator on multi-level accommodations, appropriate bathroom and kitchen facilities, adequate space for moving in, adequate
space for storage, has passages and doorways large enough to accommodate a wheelchair, and is appropriately equipped to meet the ambient environmental
conditions. The ability to modify one’s house or apartment also affects the ability of older people to continue to live comfortably at home. Besides
identifying the need to ensure older people are aware of the possible options for modifying their homes, it is suggested in many cities that older people need
to be able to obtain the necessary equipment. In Tuymazy, caregivers identify their need for information on different types of equipment and possible
adaptations and on equipment that is easy to obtain. In Udaipur, difficulties in obtaining hand rails, ramps and toilets are mentioned.

The Guidelines for Planning for Older People in Public Space (Sarkissian & Stenberg, 2013) focused on the outdoor residential environment and
specifically ways in which the planning and design of common or shared open space and the wider public real can support that needs of older people. The
guidelines by Sarkissian & Stenberg support a primary objective of providing open space that are suitable and appropriate to the needs of the older people.
Clearly, the aim is to achieve a residential environment that facilitates rather than hinders independence and interaction. According to the report, older people
significantly spend a much larger proportion of their time within the residential environment than younger people.

The literature by the WHO (Global age-friendly cities: A guide , 2007) and by Sarkissian & Stenberg (Guidelines for Planning for Older People in
Public Open Space, 2013) have significant bearing to this study as they provide design criteria in the totality of residential environment for the ageing
population.
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Age-friendly environment in the workplace

It was also provided in the WHO guideline for “age-friendliness” that the older people do not stop contributing to their communities on retirement.
Many continue to provide unpaid and voluntary work for their families and communities. Economic circumstances has lead the older people to take paid
work long after they should have retired. It emphasized that to be an age-friendly city, its community should provide options for older people to continue
contributing to their communities, through paid employment or voluntary work if they so choose, and to be engaged in political progress.

In the Philippine context, Racelis et. Al (Filipino Living Arrangements, Work Activity and Labor Income as Old-age support, 2012) also stated that
the results from the 2007 National Transfer Accounts (NTA) for the Philippines showed that consumption of the elderly 58 years and older, the elderly
(lifecycle) deficit age group, is financed only partly from own earnings. That is, labor income is not sufficient to cover the consumption requirement of this
group and the balance is financed by other sources including (household) transfers, asset income and a very small portion from public transfers including
public pensions. As expected, the share of the elderly consumption financed by own earning decline while the share of private transfers increase with age.
With the stated increase of population among the older people in the country, it will be inevitable that most of the elderly (if not all) would desire to add to
the labor work force of the country. Therefore, ergonomic standards in the work environment will be significant should the government intend to address the
need for the older people’s contribution to its labor work force.

The report Welcoming Workplace: Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century knowledge economy (Smith, 2008) cites the
physical requirements of older knowledge workers (reference of the report to the elderly workforce) and design guidelines of workplaces for the elderly
namely the spaces to concentrate, spaces to collaborate and the spaces to contemplate.

The report considers the decline of adult vision along with age and tested the installation of a controllable fluorescent light-system called Dynamic
Lighting, which enables workers to locally set and change blue and yellow light sources that mimic the natural rhythm of the natural working day and the
nature of the task. The decline of hearing was also cited in the report saying that it generally begins to decline at the age of 40. Older people may struggle to
hear well at higher frequencies hence, the recommendation of the report to consider how sound transmission can be controlled. Physical ergonomics was also
taken into consideration and has recommended that a range of adjustable furniture be included such as height adjustable desks and ergonomic office chair.
 15

However, the report stresses that if controls are included and are not intuitive, it will not be used. The study also explored the adaptation of homecare
furniture for office use such as sofas that fold down into day beds which were seen as having a place within the office environment whilst height adjustable
tables, which enabled older workers to stand for various task. Cognition was also cited in the report and states that the changes in mental capacity occur with
age in certain ways although vocabulary and verbal ability remain constant or improves but some mental processes decline. The speed of thinking, selective
attention and information processing tend to be reduced, spatial skills generally decline and that older people are less efficient at navigating three-
dimensional environments and need more time and guidance in finding their way. Psychological inflexibility increases with age and this can cause older
people to lose patience more quickly with products or services that are difficult to use. According to the report, it is important to consider how the office
environment can help to sustain health and well-being of staff. Dignity and respect are as important to wellbeing and productivity as physical ergonomics.
The report suggests that facilities within the workplace should be designed with older workers in mind irrespective of who uses them. The drive for greater
levels of physical and mental wellbeing is one of the most persuasive factors in promoting an inclusive design approach.

With the physical requirements in mind, the report cites recommendations on the design of workplaces for the elderly (or the knowledge workers as
referred to by the report). Generally, suggested improvements to the quality of the office environments should go hand-in-hand with a drive for a more
efficient use of a space. An inclusive design approach should be developed as it can often produce tangible benefits for the whole workforce while
simultaneously addressing the specific improvements required by older workers.

Natural light is generally preferable to artificial lighting and careful consideration should be given to the quantity of glazing and its orientation. The
control of lighting admission should be incorporated into the external envelope or glazing systems. Ambient lighting should be provided at an appropriate
level for the tasks being under taken and it is recommended that ambient lighting is helpful if it can be controlled on a zonal basis around the office.
Reducing ambient levels and supplemented by individual task lighting at the desk is beneficial. Ambient lighting might also be designed to suit the viewing
of computer screens and with much brighter task lights for reading small print in documents. Generally, lighting solutions should correspond to individual
needs and the older staff particularly appreciates the ability to personally control artificial light sources.
 16

In terms of acoustics, Smith (Welcoming Workplace: Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century knowledge economy, 2008)
recommends that activities that create a lot of noise (printing or photocopying e.g.) should be separated from quieter work areas through careful planning and
partitioning. Disruptive levels of noise can be partially controlled by reducing reverberation within an open plan office. The quality of ambient acoustic
environment is more important to older people who will generally find background noise more disruptive. In open plan offices, workstations can be designed
to reduce noise effects and improve acoustic privacy. Sound absorbing barriers are very important for noise reduction. Without them, speech can be heard 50
-70 feet away. Which is reduced to 25 to 35 feet with acoustic panels. For best results, screens such as systems furniture panels should be at least 65 inch
high. Lower-height screens have no significant impact on acoustical control. Increasing the distance between adjacent workstations is also beneficial. The
acoustic environment will need to be adapted to the tasks being performed. This is important where speech privacy is required by commercial
confidentiality, by good practice or by the law, such as for medical records or credit card information. In acoustics, the choice of material is important. The
best materials for reducing reverberation are light-weight and absorbent. The best sound-blocking materials are dense and heavy. For meeting rooms, sound
seals or retractable door bottoms help to seal a door once it’s closed. Providing people with alternative spaces such as booths or small meeting rooms for
private conversations or telephone calls can be beneficial Alternative strategy: It is also important to designate some open-plan areas as quiet work zones
with protocols discouraging phone calls, informal meetings and other interruptions. Sound masking or sound conversion technologies can also improve noisy
backgrounds for individuals to enhance the overall acoustic quality of the office environment.

Ergonomically, it is also recommended to create clear lines of circulation for movement within an office building and through an open-plan space as
it provides additional opportunities for encouraging more physical activity. Staffs should be encouraged to move around between a range of designated
settings for knowledge work, ensuring regular exercise and breaks during the working day and avoiding sedentary workstyle. Ergonomic chairs and height-
adjustable desks should be provided which give the opportunity to change working positions during the day according to the task. Adjustable furniture
should have controls that are obvious, simple and intuitive of use. Furniture specification should explore higher levels of comfort (e.g. sofas that fold down
into day beds).
 17

Smith also stresses that navigation and wayfinding is also important in the office environment for the elderly workforce (Welcoming Workplace:
Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century knowledge economy, 2008). It is stated that everyone will benefit from clear space-
planning with effective signage, color coding, land-marking and layout differentiation that facilitates finding your way around in an intuitive way.

In Welcoming Workplace: Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century knowledge economy (Smith, Welcoming Workplace:
Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century knowledge economy, 2008), the workplace environment is categorized into three. These
are the Spaces to concentrate, spaces to collaborate, and spaces to contemplate.

Spaces to concentrate are spaces for knowledge workers (or the elderly workers) to undertake tasks that require sustained focus, high levels of
analysis and attention to details. Such spaces can be separate rooms, booths or designated areas of the main office. They should be designed for solo working
and should be separated from the noise and distraction of the general office and governed by strict protocols for working. Concentration spaces can be used
by mobile or part-time workers and by anyone who wants to get away from their normal environment to complete a particularly demanding tasks. It should
be located away from noisy facilities such as kitchens and cafes, print-rooms or social spaces. These spaces should be equipped with different types of
furniture and adjustable settings to allow for a range of working positions. As recommended, the spaces to concentrate contain the following items on the
environment.

1) Intelligent audio masking system that listens to background noise and creates harmonious sounds instead.

2) Motorized height adjustable desks that allow users to stand for periods of the day. This is also effective for easily adapting to different ergonomic
needs.

3) Tasks lights which are important for that ageing eyes. It should also allow for lower and more pleasant ambient light.

4) Window views that are democratically available to connect people to the outside world.

5) Curtains for users to diffuse natural light.

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It is also recommended in Welcoming Workplace: Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century knowledge economy (Smith,
2008) that dedicated spaces to collaborate should also be provided. Offices often lack project spaces in which teams can communicate their ideas and work
freely without worrying about making a noise, mess or pinning things up. Collaborative spaces are something similar to a studio where workers can spread
out their sheets and data, talk, argue and not worry about confidentiality or tidying away before the project is completed. These spaces should not be
anonymous like most meeting rooms. And should be well-equipped with large surfaces, whiteboards, paper. pens, digital image capturing and Audio-visual
equipment. It is private and secure for the user while it is booked, or for the duration of the project. Moveable furniture and flexible work settings for
personalized use by individuals as well as by project teams. Collaborative modes of working will also be enhanced by providing bigger desk to spread things
out and bigger backdrops to pin things up. The chemistry of collaboration depends on lighting to deliver the right mood and ambience within the space.
Therefore, collaborative spaces should have adjustable lighting to suit the task and time of the day. Due to these recommendations in collaborative spaces in
the workplace environment, the following items are suggested to be provided/

1) Digital and traditional display media which allows work to remain on show for long periods of time.

2) Moveable furniture and bench-style tables allow teams to congregate and individuals to spread out for solo work.

3) Dynamic lighting which allows users to adjust light to the task at hand and their specific ergonomic needs. This should be adjustable to suit the time
of the day and elicit chemistry of collaboration by delivering the right mood and ambience within the space.

Smith (Smith, 2008) also recommends that workplace environments should be provided with contemplation spaces that give people somewhere to
recuperate from the stress and noise of the normal working environment. It is a place to go when tired, or need to prepare for an energetic task. It is
somewhere knowledge workers can relax, create new ideas or simply do nothing. It is recommended that it should be a calm environment and free from
distraction and surveillance. In the spaces to contemplate, it should have a variety of adjustable furniture where people can go for periods of 10 minutes to
several hours. Contemplation spaces are spaces that the office community respects, within which workers can expect not to be interrupted, and people will
not make phone calls or have loud conversations. It should have strong natural organic elements, rich with plants, water, fabric banners and adjustable
lighting giving it a different feel to the office atmosphere elsewhere. A contemplation space that is quiet, enclosed and has a degree of privacy should also
 19

carry elements for a comfortable domestic environment. However, it is not a sickbay and it should avoid the stigma of illness, so the staff of all ages feel they
can use the space freely. This is particularly important considering workers’ long exposure to computer screens and mobile devices. Migraines, stress and
sore eyes should no longer force workers to take the day off, but should be catered for on-site in a supportive way. Just as the modern working life has meant
that the home has begun to accommodate work, so do contemplation spaces redress the balance by becoming a ‘home’ within the office. Spaces for
contemplation should at least have the following items to be used.

1) An office garden that provides informal interaction, a sense of ownership over the environment, and an organic element to the office.

2) A variety of furniture such as a day bed, and ergonomically supported reading chairs that allow people to recuperate and think.

3) A curtain of falling water which provides a sense of acoustic peace, humidifies the air, and adds elements to purity and nature to the space.

4) Semi-transparent dividers

As observed in the guidelines provided by Smith (Welcoming Workplace: Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century
knowledge economy, 2008), an efficient work environment does not only evolve adjusting dimensions for usability. It can be inferred that an Age-friendly
workplace environment provides for the holistic well-being of the ageing population (or in this case, the elderly workers). Although the report does not
contain anthropometric data, the guidelines provided can be utilized and integrated with the anthropometric data collected in creating the design criteria for
the age-friendly workplace environment for the Filipino Elderly as well as design solutions that address the limitations or age-related effects that comes with
ageing.

Age-friendly public outdoor spaces.

As stated in the report Global Age-friendly Cities: A guide (World Health Organization , 2007), the outside environment and public buildings have a
major impact on the mobility, independence and quality of life of older people and affect their ability to “age in place.” The World Health Organization also
adds that older people and others who interact significantly with them describe a broad range of characteristics of the urban landscape and built environment
 20

that contribute to age-friendliness. The recurring themes in cities around the world are quality of life, access and safety. The report by the World Health
Organization also provides that the outside environment must be pleasant & clean, that green spaces are important, that the outside environment should have
places to rest, that pavements must be age-friendly, must be accessible, must be safe and secure, must have walkways and cycle paths and must have age-
friendly buildings. The city should be clean with enforced regulations limiting noise levels and unpleasant or harmful odours in public places.

Green spaces and walkways should be well-maintained and safe with adequate shelter, toilet facilities and seating that can be easily accessed.
Pedestrian walkways are free from obstructions, have a smooth surface, have public toilets and can be easily accessed. Outdoor seating should also be
available, particularly in parks, transport stops and public spaces, and spaced at regular intervals. The seating should be well-maintained and patrolled to
ensure safe access by all. Pavements should be well-maintained, smooth, level, non-slip and wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs with low curbs that
taper off the road. Pavements should also be clear of any obstructions prioritizing pedestrian usage. Roads need to have adequate non-slip, regularly spaced
pedestrian crossings ensuring that it is safe for pedestrians to cross the road. Roads should also be well-designed and appropriately spaced physical
structures, such as traffic islands, overpasses or underpasses, to assist pedestrians to cross busy roads. The pedestrian crossing lights should allow sufficient
time for older people to cross the road and have visual and audio signals. There should be strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, with drivers
giving way to pedestrians. Cycle paths should also be provided for cyclists. Public safety in all open spaces and buildings is a priority and is promoted by,
measures to reduce the risk of natural disasters, good street lighting, police patrols, enforcement of by-laws, and support for community and personal safety
initiatives. Services should be clustered, located in close proximity to where older people live and can be easily accessed. Buildings should be accessible.
Public toilets should be clean, well-maintained, and accessible for people with varying abilities, well-signed and placed in convenient locations.

The Guidelines for Planning for Older People in Public Open Space (Sarkissian & Stenberg, 2013) focused on the public open space and the needs of
older people. It is stated that the physical environment, particularly open spaces, should have six principal qualities if it is to meet the needs of its older users.
First it should make sense. Open spaces should make sense so that older people are not confused by providing visual and tactile cues which will inform its
older users about the location and pathways. This will give opportunities for them to orient themselves and navigate with ease giving them a cognitive
mental map of the environment. Second, the public open space should offer people potential for exploration. Exploration should be understood as providing
diverse and discoverable objects, textures, experiences and sensations with abundance of choice and possibility. Sensual exploration should also be provided
 21

to cater for people with sensory impairment (visual, auditory, kinesthetic). This aids direction and orientation. Third, the public open space should permit
role choice and support new behavior. Opportunities where older people can choose to be in an isolated niche, in an area that encourages sociability or a
location that includes them yet preserves their spatial separation. Older people generally fall into routine, therefore supporting and encouraging new behavior
of older people through suitable designing of open spaces is important. Lastly, it should be economical to build and maintain. These guidelines will
contribute to the design criteria in coming up with ergonomic guidelines for the design of age-friendly public outdoor spaces.

The Age-Friendly Philippines

While the need for “age-friendly” cities are becoming more significant, the Philippines also has its own efforts of becoming friendly to our ageing
population. The HelpAge Global Network (2015) ranks the Philippines in the 50th place among the world’s age-friendly countries. They have enumerated the
efforts of the Country that attend to the welfare the Senior Citizens which are as follows:

1) The Country’s provisions indicated in the Accessibility law of 1982 or the Batas Pambansa blg. 344 (BP 344). It provides for minimum
requirements and standards to make buildings, facilities, and utilities for public use accessible to persons with disability, including older persons
who are confined to wheelchairs and those who have difficulty in walking or climbing stairs, among others.

2) Republic Act No. 7876 entitled “An Act Establishing a Senior Citizens Center in all Cities and Municipalities of the Philippines, and
Appropriating Funds therefore” provides for the establishment of Senior Citizen Centers to cater to older persons’ socialization and interaction
needs as well as to serve as a venue for the conduct of other meaningful activities.

3) Republic Act. No. 8425 provides for the institutionalization and enhancement of the social reform agenda by creating the National Anti-
Poverty Commission (NAPC).
 22

4) Republic Act No. 10155, known as “the General Appropriations Act of 2012”, under section 28 mandates that all government agencies and
instrumentalities should allocate one percent of their total agency budget to programs and projects for older persons and Persons With
Disabilities.

5) Republic Act. No. 9994, known as “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, an act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior
citizens, further amending Republic Act No. 7432 and otherwise known as “an act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation
building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other purposes.”

6) The Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (2011-2016) aims to ensure giving priority to community-based approaches which are
gender responsive, with effective leadership and meaningful participation of senior citizens in decision-making processes, both in the context of
family and community.

7) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued Administrative Order No. 4 series of 2010, “Guidelines on the
Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens”, establishing community based health care services for older persons.

8) The Philippine Constitution supports the formation of community based organizations. The DSWD have facilitated the formation of older
people’s associations in every city and municipality. They are also tasked to provide technical assistance to support and strengthen Older People’s
Association (OPA).

9) Under the RA 9994, the Philippine Government provides a social pension of Php 500.00 per month to poor older persons aged 77 and over
who are not yet receiving any government or private pension. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is the lead agency tasked with
identifying and reviewing social pension beneficiaries.

But, out of all these “age-friendly” efforts done and legislated by the Philippine Government, this study will focus on ergonomic standards through
the use of recommended methods of anthropometry among the elderly which will have the potential of enhancing the Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or the
 23

Accessibility Law of 1982. In order to do so, the existing Law on accessibility must be further emphasized by knowing its purpose and its significance to the
Filipino elderly population.

Existing Standards for the People with Disabilities (PWD)

According to the Accesibility Law of 1982 (Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, 1983), the rules and regulations will provide minimum requirements and
standards to make buildings, facilities and utilities for public use accessible to disabled persons. This has become significant for the elderly because their
population have been categorized by the Law as Disabled Persons. In other words, the rules and regulations set forth in the Law are aimed for their own
benefit. It is in the purpose of addressing “Impairments due to conditions of aging and coordination.”

The standards indicated in the Accessibility Law of 1982 is categorized by the following: 1.) Outside and around the buildings, 2.) Inside buildings
and structures and 3.) Safety. In the assessment of the Researcher, the existing Law is not as comprehensive as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010
(2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, 2010 ) wherein its standards are indicated with various categories from plumbing fixtures until certain building
typologies. Although, both standards do not indicate a specific anthropometric database for the elderly, it is also important that there exist as such in order to
utilize it for universal design.

The metric handbook by David Adler (Adler, 1999), however, indicates specific anthropometric data for the elderly and utilizes it in the standards
cited in the said literature. But Adler uses the anthropometric data of British adults aged 65-80 years old and may not be applicable for the Filipino elderly
due to the variation in ethnicity. Meanwhile, in the Planning and Designer’s Handbook by Fajardo (Fajardo , 2002), specific anthropometric data is indicated
for the average Filipino Adults. However, the data is not comprehensive as it only indicates the average dimensions for a certain body dimensions. In line
with Pheasant’s (Pheasant, 2003) Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics and the design of work, it is recommended that the anthropometric data should
also indicate the minimum and the maximum dimensions of the user population as both are also useful in making decisions that involve identifying a certain
dimension for a certain standard.
 24

In attaining the “age-friendly” Philippines as compliance to the Mandate and recommendations of the World Health Organization (World Health
Organization , 2007), these existing standards will be able to help in creating the age-friendly environment. Thus, this study aims to pioneer ergonomic
standards for the elderly using the anthropometric data of adults aged 60-80 years old that will further enhance the existing standards which is potentially
useful towards making the Country Age-Friendly.

Anthropometry in the Vitruvian Man, the Modulor & the Furnicube

Pheasant (Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics and the design of work , 2003) defines anthropometry as the branch of human sciences that deals
with body measurements particularly with measurements of body size, shape, strength and working capacity.

Vitruvius, Le Corbusier and Salvan assumed major roles in the development of architecture through their works towards standardization of
anthropometry Vitruvius points out that the human body is in harmony through symmetry – the proper agreement between the members and relation between
the parts and the whole general scheme with a certain part selected as standard. He concludes that the human body is “a kind of symmetrical harmony
between forearm, foot, palm, finger and other small parts” and so it goes with the perfect building (Vitruvius: The ten books on Architecture, 1914). While
Salvan (1999) develops the Furnicube inspired from the works of Le Corbusier.

Criticisms and feedbacks for Vitruvius, Le Corbusier and Salvan

The standardization of human body proportions plays significant impacts on the study of architectural design. However, these theories, despite the
significance, is still found as subjects to criticisms by different authors and architects with regards to the methodology and scope in their conception. Otswald
(2001) emphasizes that Le Corbusier settled for a six-foot-tall English male body with one arm upraised. He argues that the French male was “too short for
the geometry to work well” and that the female body was rejected as a source of proportional harmony. He also conveys that the use of the Modulor in
construction has very small impractical dimensions. In addition, Otswald adds that Le Corbusier also had the tendency to abandon the Modulor when it does
 25

not suit and continuously reminds people that because it is based on perception, its usage must be limited by practical perception. Large dimensions are
impossible to sense with any accuracy and does not advocate the use of the Modulor for this scales. In the same way, the use of the Modulor in construction
techniques for very small dimensions are impractical. Because of this, it has become evident that even the author of this theory of proportionality was able to
recognize its limitations. In a study entitled The Body in Modern Architecture: Perceptions, Philosophies and Design Consequences in the Work of Le
Corbusier and Alvar Aalto (Ghabash, 2014), Ghabash agrees with Otswald stating that Le Corbusier’s basis of a six-foot-tall Modulor man might exclude
certain users notably women and anyone who doesn’t meet the height requirement at a certain intimate scale. Ghabash also adds that this limitation of Le
Corbusier’s work also excludes the anthropometric standards for the elderly despite the intensity of their need for safety and comfort through ergonomic
design. She also states Alvar Aalto’s belief in contrary to Le Corbusier’s work. Aalto does not believe that it was the architect’s job to prescribe universal
rules or acceptable social behavior through design such as Le Corbusier’s doing. Aalto believes in individualism and particularism as he saw the militant
calls for standardization as a slippery slope in the standardization of human beings, activities and bodily experience. However, Ghabash also criticizes this
belief by stating that the architect had no way of knowing the needs of every present and future user. Aalto assumed that individuality is something
architecture could provide in contrast to something inherent in a person or that a person would assert on their own. In this comparison, the standardization of
human body proportions through the anthropometric data is more agreeable than that of Aalto’s philosophy. Anthropometric standards do not seek to
identify and dictate the individual needs of its users but rather to provide for their needs in the general sense unlike Aalto’s philosophy of individuality.
Ergonomics and Anthropometric standards seeks to provide comfort and safety for its users which classifies as a general need rather than an individual need
as referred by Aalto.

These works may lack certain aspects that is required in fully attending to the needs of Man. However, these works are not supposed to be stagnant
on their current state as it calls for further study and development. Basing on these findings, the ideas of Vitruvius, Le Corbusier and Salvan remains
valuable despite their flaws as it signifies the moral responsibility architects for the potential users of buildings and that their needs, such as comfortability
and safety, is paramount.
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The Principles & Practice of Anthropometry

In Bodyspace: Anthropometry, Ergonomics and the Design of Work, Pheasant, states that in anthropometry, we are only able to supply a range of
sizes “Only to a limited extent.” As an example, he cites that “We do not expect adults and children to use the same-sized writing desks in their offices and
schools; although they seem to cope perfectly well with the sme dining table at home. We commonly supply typists with adjustable chairs; but their desks
are usually fixed height. Obviously enough, we are prepared to accept a less accurate fit from a table and chair than from a shirt and trousers.” Pheasant also
adds that what is evident is how we should choose the best compromise dimensions for the equipment to employ by a range of users, and what point we
should conclude that adjustability is essential. In order to optimize such decisions, Pheasant also requires three types of information in anthropometry. First,
the anthropometric characteristics of the user population. Second, the ways in which these characteristics might impose constraints upon the design. And
finally, the criteria that define an effective match between the product and the user (Pheasant, 2003).

The Thirty-two Body Dimensions by Pheasant

Cited in the Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics and the design of work (Pheasant, 2003), are the 32 body dimensions recommended by Pheasant
(Pheasant, 2003) for anthropometric data collection. These are as follows:

1. Stature is the vertical distance from the floor to the vertex or the crown of the head. It is used as a cross-referencing dimension for comparing
populations and estimating data; the stature defines the vertical clearance required in the standing workspace; It is also the minimal acceptable
height of overhead obstructions such as lintels, roofbeams, light fittings etc.

2. The eye height is the vertical distance from the floor to the inner canthus (corner) of the eye. The eye height is applied as the centre of the
visual field. It is a reference datum for location of visual displays. It is a ‘reach’ dimension for sight lines, defining maximal acceptable height of
visual obstructions
 27

3. Shoulder height is the vertical distance from the floor to the acromion or the bony tip of the shoulder. It is the approximate center of rotation
of the upper limb and, hence, of use in determining zones of comfortable reach. The shoulder height is the reference datum for location of
fixtures, fittings, controls, etc.

4. Elbow height is the vertical distance from the floor to the radiale – the bony landmark formed by the upper radius bone which is palpable on
the outer surface of the elbow. It is also an important reference datum for the determination of work surface heights and etc.

5. The hip height is the vertical distance from the floor to the greater trochanter (a bony prominence at the upper end of the thigh bone, palpable
on the lateral surface of the hip. It is the center of ration of the hip joint, hence the functional length of the lower limb.

6. The knuckle height is the vertical distance from the floor to metacarpal III (the knuckle of the middle finger). It is the reference level for
handgrips, support approximately above knuckle height is desirable. Handgrips on portable objects should be at less than knuckle height.

7. The fingertip height is the vertical distance from the floor to the dactylion (the tip of the middle finger). It is commonly used in determining
the lowest acceptable level for finger-operated controls.

8. The sitting height is the vertical distance from the sitting surface to the vertex or the crown of the head. This dimension is commonly used to
identify the clearance required between seat and overhead obstacles.

9. Sitting eye height is defined as the vertical distance from the sitting surface to the inner canthus (corner) of the eye

10. The sitting shoulder height is the vertical distance from the seat surface to the acromion or the bony point of the shoulder. It is the
approximate center for rotation of the upper limb.

11. The sitting elbow height, also known as elbow rest height, is the vertical distance from the seat surface to the underside of the elbow. It is
used for determining the height of armrests. It is also an important reference datum for the heights of desktops, keyboards, etc., with respect to the
seat.
 28

12. Also known as thigh clearance, the thigh thickness is the vertical distance from the seat surface to the top of the uncompressed soft tissue of
the thigh as its thickest point, general where it meets the abdomen. The thigh thickness is used to determine the clearance required between the
seat and the underside of tables or other obstacles.

13. The buttock-knee length is the horizontal distance from the back of the uncompressed buttock to the front of the kneecap. This dimension is
used to determine the clearance between seat back and obstacles in front of the knee.

14. The buttock-popliteal length is the horizontal distance from the back of the uncompressed buttocks to the popliteal angle, at the back of the
knee, where the back of the lower legs meet the underside of the thigh. Reach dimension and the maximum acceptable seat depth are determined
by the buttock-popliteal length.

15. Knee height is the vertical distance from the floor to the upper surface of the knee. It determines the clearance required beneath the underside
of the tables and etc.

16. This dimension is the vertical distance from the floor to the popliteal angle at the underside of the knee where the tendon of the biceps femoris
muscle inserts into the lower leg. The popliteal height is a reach dimension defining the maximum acceptable height of a seat.

17. The maximum horizontal breadth across the shoulders, measured to the protrusions of the deltoid muscles is the Shoulder breadth (bideltoid).
It is simply used to determine the clearance required at shoulder level.

18. The biacromial shoulder breadth is the horizontal distance across the shoulders measured between the acromial or the bony points. It is the
lateral separation of the centres of rotation of the upper limb.

19. The hip breadth is the maximum distance across the hips in the sitting position. This dimension determines the clearance required at seat
level. The width of a seat should not be less than this.
 29

20. This is the maximum horizontal distance from the vertical reference plane to the front of the chest in men or breast in women. The chest depth
is commonly used in determining the clearance between seat backs and obstructions.

21. The abdominal depth is the horizontal distance between the vertical reference plane to the front of the abdomen in the standard sitting
position. It is used to define the clearance between the seat back and obstructions.

22. The shoulder-elbow length is the distance from the acromion to the underside of the elbow in a standard sitting position.

23. The elbow-fingertip height is the distance from the back of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger in a standard sitting position. Its
applications are the forearm reach, the definition of the normal working area.

24. The upper limb length is the distance from the acromion to the fingertip with the elbow and wrist straight (extended).

25. The shoulder grip length is the distance from the acromion to the center of an object gripped in the hand, with the elbow and wrist straight. It
is applied in the function length of upper limb and used in defining zone of convenient reach.

26. The head length is the maximum breadth of the head above the level of the ears. It is applied in determining clearances wherein such
dimension is involved.

27. The hand length is the distance from the crease of the wrist to the tip of the middle finger with the hand held straight and stiff.

28. The hand breadth is the maximum breadth across the palm of the hand (at the ends of the metacarpal bones). It is used in determining the
clearance required for hand access such as grips, handles and etc.

29. The foot length is a distance, parallel to the long axis of the foot, from the back of the heel to the tip of the largest toe. the clearance required
for foot and the design of pedals are determined by this dimension.

30. The foot breadth is the maximum horizontal breadth, wherever found, across the foot perpendicular to the long axis. It is applied for clearance
requirements for foot, the spacing of pedals and etc.
 30

31. The span is the maximum horizontal distance between the fingertips when both arms are stretched out sideways. It is applied in determining
lateral reaches.

32. The elbow span is the distance between the tips of the elbows when both upper limbs are stretched out sideways and the elbows are fully
flexed so that fingertips touch the chest. It is a useful guideline when considering ‘elbow room’ in the workplace.

33. Grip reaches can either be the vertical, horizontal or forward grip reaches. In each case the measurement is made to the center of a cylindrical
rod full grasped in the palm of the hand. The arm is raised vertically above the head and the measurement is made from the floor or seat surface,
respectively. The arm can also be raised horizontally forward at shoulder level and the measurement is taken from the back of the shoulder
blades. In each case these are ‘easy’ reaches made without excessive reach.

The Four Cardinal Constraints

Pheasant (Pheasant, 2003) suggests that there are 4 Cardinal Constraints in coming up with ergonomic standards using the anthropometric
dimensions gathered. Constraint is an observable, preferably measurable, characteristics of human beings, which has consequences for the design of a
particular item. These are clearance, reach, posture and strength.

Clearance, according to Pheasant, is significant because environment must provide adequate access and circulation space. It is a one-way constraint
that is determined by the bulky member of the population or the 95th percentile.

Reach is the ability to grasp and operate controls. It determines the maximum acceptable dimension of the object. Similar to clearance, it is a one-way
constraint. However, it determines the maximum dimension catered by the smallest user population or the 5th percentile.

A person’s working posture will be determined by the relationship between the dimensions of his body and those of his workstation. Postural
problems are commonly more complex than problems of clearance and reach – since we may well have limiting users in both tails of the distribution. For
 31

example, a working surface that is too high for a small person is just as undesirable as one that is too low for a tall person. In other words we have a two-way
constraint.

Strength is the fourth constrain that concerns the application of force in the operation of controls and in other physical tasks. Often, limitations of
strength impose a one-way constraint, and it is sufficient to determine the level of force that is acceptable to a weak limiting user. There are cases, however,
where this may have undesirable consequences for the heavy handed (or heavy-footed) user, or in terms of accidental operation of a control, etc. – and in
these cases a two-way constraint may apply.

The Principles of Ergonomics

The Principles of Ergonomics are cited in the Ergonomics Manual (McLeod , 1992). It is indicated to have 10 principles which can be utilized in
coming up with design criteria towards the age-friendly environment. These are working in neutral postures, reducing excessive force, keeping things in easy
reach, working at proper heights, reducing excessive motions, minimizing fatigue and static load, minimizing pressure points, providing clearances, moving,
exercising & stretching and maintaining a comfortable environment. These principles will be utilized when posture as a cardinal constraint is to be used in
the standard.

Related Studies
As the previous works of Vitruvius, Le Corbusier & Salvan became the foundation and starting point of the standardization of anthropometrics and its
ergonomic applications, researchers conducted and attempted to come up with their versions of anthropometric data to fill the gap of the previous works.
Anthropometric data are essential to ergonomic design. However, available anthropometric data for aged people are quite limited (Hu , et al., 2007).
Aravindakhshan (2012) initially used a Human factors and Ergonomics software for postural assessment in coming up with an anthropometric data of the
elderly in the workplace. The software was used to identify human joints that are likely to exceed its comfort range for each workstation, using appropriate
 32

design and task decisions. He then analyzes that the use of “Stature” to predict relevant anthropometric body segment lengths is better associated with widths
and girth. Head, hand or feet dimensions have better correlations with anyone of its own association rather than stature and weight. In contrast to
Aravindakhshan’s methodology, Sims (2003) believes in a different form of synthesizing elderly anthropometric data. Sims believes in the principle of
‘Design for all’ – a philosophy with the aim of producing products, environments, services and systems that are usable by all people, whatever their age, size
and abilities. She states that it is desirable for designers to include as many people as possible, starting from the knowledge and abilities of the least abled
sections of the population to be included in design. According to her, it is relatively easy for designers to make minor modifications to existing designs or
models that would enable a larger percentage of the population to utilize it with little constraints. Although Sims has a strong hold of the principle, she also
considers the fact that a designer cannot merely ‘design for all’ in the literal sense but designers should be aware of who they are excluding, rather than
simply designing with no consideration of who can or cannot use the design. This simply means that knowing who to exclude gives a better chance of
creating a compromise and signifies that the designer has considered the delimited user. On the other hand, not recognizing who to exclude means that the
attempt to consider ‘all’ has failed therefore ‘Designing for all’ did not take place. In her firm belief of the principle of designing for all, she also points out
the limitations of using percentiles in coming up with anthropometric standards for the elderly as it removes the possibility of a designer considering a
“whole person.” She observed that data for measurements of arms, legs, torsos, and heads are all split into different tables for the entire population measured.
It is difficult to collate data from separate tables or diagrams to make a real, whole, person with the variance of percentiles for the different dimensions that
are found in real people. In her opinion, keeping data sets for individuals, would allow designers to see real people in terms of dimensions and abilities. She
stated that anthropometry in tables of data is usually “static” and that data becomes limited from people holding themselves in a fixed standard posture.
Whilst these data can be useful in this form, a designer needs to be aware that static arm length is not the same as dynamic anthropometry. Sims aims to
come up with a methodology in a ‘Design for all’ approach using a multivariate analysis in anthropometry. She does not believe in the traditional
anthropometry as it is only univariate in nature. On the contrary, Pheasant (2003) establishing a range of sizes for certain garments that involve
anthropometry is necessary but only for a ‘limited extent.’ This is implying that anthropometry itself is limited. However, Pheasant states that, as designers,
it is rather obvious, despite the limitations, that “how we should choose the best compromise dimensions for equipment to be employed by a range of user,
and at what point should we conclude that adjustability is essential.” Basing on Sim’s statement of ‘Designing for all’ and that recognizing who are excluded
 33

in the design is also relevant in Pheasant’s method and perception of anthropometry. Pheasant’s method also recognizes the excluded population and creates
an opportunity to come up with a compromise and evaluation if adjustability is necessary. Therefore, Pheasant’s method is a way of ‘Designing for all.’

There are researches of anthropometry that has adapted Pheasant’s work. According to Jarosz, the anthropometric data for the elderly has never been
developed in Poland and such data should also be used for the needs of transgenerational design. She synthesized measurements of 33 anthropometric
characteristics of 106 women aged 60 and above for the design of functional space and devices, such as clothes. She used the 5 th percentile of elderly women
in Poland in determining the lower limit of the anthropometric standard for the whole adult and thus allow transgenerational design (Jarosz, 1998). Hu, et al.
(2007) studies the variation of anthropometric standards based on ethnical background of the population. A comparison between Chinese and Japanese
elderly shows that Chinese (Beijing) are larger in dimensions of the body trunk and Japanese elderly are larger in dimensions of the head and extremities.
The conclusions are based on a limited number of subjects in the Beijing area, and the in-depth reasons for the above findings remain a subject for further
study. (Kothiyal & Tettey (2001) also conducted a partly-similar study. They argue that stature is on one of the most important anthropometric
characteristics affected by ageing. They compared the mean stature of elderly Australian males and females from other countries. In their study, gender
variation is also involved in their comparison through stature and compared male and female stature for different populations. In their findings, differences
can be noticed in the stature of Australian males and females when compared with those of British population. On the other hand Australian males and Dutch
males have nearly the same stature, but the data for females show a considerable difference of about 20 mm. Despite these findings, they have pointed out a
gap on their research. They observed that the participation of elderly males in the study was relatively small compared to female participants. There was a
low level of interest in the male population for the anthropometric data collection. Although, they stated an observation that lower participation of elderly
male participants appears to be common in most anthropometric studies. This gap in their research suggests further improvement when conducting a similar
study as gender may also be a variable in coming up with an anthropometric data for ergonomic design.

In conclusion, there is a need for the Philippines to be age-friendly in terms of the immediate environment which caters to the Filipino ageing
population. This literature also stresses that the age-related effects have a significant role in the loss of independence and other problems that the elderly
encounters today. Through by considering the anthropometric data of the elderly, the age-related effects, the design criteria cited in the residential,
 34

workplace, and outdoor public spaces, the principles and practice of anthropometry, and the principles of ergonomics, the prevailing condition of the elderly
of today will be addressed and will help towards the aim of the Country to be Age-friendly.

The works of Vitruvius, Le Corbusier and Salvan, although widely accepted has gaps in terms of the scope of research. These works are limited to
their basis of the ideal man and does not attend to the needs of Man as a whole and specifically the needs of the elderly. However, these works are attempts
in standardizing anthropometric data that would eventually comply with the needs Man in the building. It signifies that Vitruvius, Le Corbusier and Salvan
have realized their moral obligations to Man in terms of designing spaces.

In our modern era, researchers have attempted to continue their works in compliance to the moral before them by Vitruvius, Le Corbusier and Salvan.
Although, these researchers have attempted to specify methodologies in coming up with elderly anthropometric standards and does not hold automatically
efficient and compliant to elderly needs. Some researches aforementioned in this literature are also applicable such as the suggestion of Sims (2003) that
anthropometric data when applied in ergonomics is not “Static” but rather dynamic and that stature is not enough basis in collecting data. The methodology
used by Hu, et. Al (2007) is also relevant as they have considered the ethnical backgrounds and population variations in anthropometrics. Certain researches
such as by Kothiyal & Tettey (2001) were also relevant as they have considered the variation of gender in the anthropometric standards despite the gap of the
ratio of the respondents in their findings

.
 35

Conceptual Framework

The Filipino Elderly

Disability brought by Ageing

Age-related effects on Age-related Age-related effects Age-related effects

anthropometrics effects on hand on Visual on Hearing
strength Functions

Age-Friendly Environment

Design Criteria Based on Age-related effects

Application of Ergonomic
Ergonomic Standards for the
standards to Architecture.
Filipino Elderly

FIGURE II
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
 36

The study revolves around the ageing population in the Philippines. Similar to other ageing populations around the world, changes in the human body
occur as people age (Besdine, 2018; Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992). These changes in the human body brings forth ageing effects that result to limitations of
the elderly in terms of their capabilities. Isle et. Al (1992) classfies aging as a functional limitation among the wide variety of disabling conditions that
includes accidents, diseases and birth defects. There are effects brought about by ageing. These are Age-Related effects on Hand Strength, Visual Functions
and Hearing Functions (Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992). There is also a significant decline of anthropometrics as we age in terms of stature among the elderly
(Fernihough & McGovern, 2014 ). Perissinotto et. Al (2002) also confirm that anthropometric standards derived from adult populations may not be
appropriate for the elderly because of body composition changes occurring during ageing. They also suggest that a specific anthropometric data for the
elderly are necessary. These statements make the anthropometric data among the elderly a consideration and it may contribute to their disability depending
on the current conditions of their environment.

The World Health Organization (2007) states that sustainable cities should provide structures and services that support their residents’ wellbeing.
Older people require supportive and enabling environments to compensate for the physical and social changes that comes with ageing. Among the issues that
compromise the well-being is the tendencies of the elderly to feel incapable because of the disabilities due to ageing and eventually lose a sense of
independence (Chen, 2001). The elderly are suffering because of this loss of independence (Elizabeth, 2015). A way for designers to contribute in addressing
the problem is by providing an equitable environment for the ageing population in the built environment through an ergonomic design of spaces for the
elderly. Equitable environments will provide independence among the ageing population in doing basic tasks.

The study aims to create ergonomic standards for the elderly by creating a design criteria that will serve as solutions to the age-related effects in
terms of anthropometrics, limitations on hand-strength, visual functions and hearing functions.
 37

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Statement of the Problem
The World Health Organization (2007) mandates that for cities to be sustainable, they must provide the structures and services to support the welfare
of the elderly. It is in their belief that the elderly, despite their age, are contributors to the development of society. The elderly have knowledge, patience and
a life full of experiences behind them (Yazdani , 2015). Therefore, the elderly remains of high value that deserve high regard from the society.

However, some people expressed that they suffer quietly due to the independence and dignity that they have lost (Chen, 2001), decline in performing
activities, increased reliance on assistance & the increased risk of social isolation (Elizabeth, 2015) which is plausibly the cause of mental illnesses among
the elderly, aside from pharmaceutical interactions (LifeSpeak, 2017).

It is in the belief of the author of this study that ergonomic standards for the elderly is a necessary tool that could deliver a sense of independence
among them which could eventually give them a sense of purpose and alleviate their suffering due to the loss of their independence in doing basic tasks.

This study will then aim to create an ergonomic guideline specified for the elderly with the objective of contributing towards becoming an age-
friendly nation by using qualitative methods in Anthropometry and other human factors. To achieve the goal of this study, the following sub-questions are
posed in order to come up with the desired results:

1. The people involved in the study.

2. The standards or artefacts that should be included in the ergonomic design guidelines for the elderly.

3. The recommended dimensions of these artefacts that suit the elderly.

4. The body dimensions to be collected in coming up with an anthropometric standard for the elderly.

5. The process of integrating the constraints of anthropometrics & age-related effects (hand strength, visual and hearing functions) in order to come
up with a specific criteria to its respective artefact.
 38

Significance of the Study

The research contributes to Architecture as a pool of the knowledge as it pioneers the gathering of data and creations of guidelines that will be a basis
of the designers within the scope of the field such as architects, interior designers, landscape architects, planners and etc. to design an “age-friendly”
environment that will address the difficulties and needs of the Filipino elderly in doing basic tasks.

This study also aims to optimize the contribution of the Filipino Elderly in the society through “age-friendly” environments that will enable them to
harness their full potential in contributing to the society despite their age and their difficulties. It is also in the ambition of the researcher through this study to
make society realize that the elderly has a lot of contribution to the society hence, the need to provide environments that will enable them to do tasks
efficiently, safely and comfortably despite the difficulties and impairments brought about by aging through ergonomics.

The study aims to contribute to the course of the Country towards being “age-friendly” as mandated by the World Health Organization. The
guidelines and data collected in this study will open opportunities and methodologies that will further enhance the existing laws and standards for the elderly
such as the B.P. 344 or the Accessibility of the Philippines (1983) within the bounds of residential environments, workplace environments and public open
spaces.

Widening the perspective of those in authority about the needs of the Filipino Elderly such as the ‘sense of independence’ and the value of the built
environment in contributing to this objective is also a significant motivation of this study.

To the community, this study will uplift and emphasize the moral obligations of architects towards a wide variety of users, such as the Filipino
Elderly, more than the aesthetic aspects of design.

The study will enable future researchers to conduct further studies about certain aspects of data and methodologies in coming up with anthropometric
and ergonomic standards for the Filipino Elderly
 39

Scope and Limitations

The study was conducted within a duration of one (1) year from June 2017 until June of 2018. The study covers a data collection of anthropometric
data through thirty-two (32) body dimensions in both standing and sitting positions as recommended by Pheasant (2003) such as:

1. Stature 14. Popliteal height 27. Foot Breadth

2. Eye height 15. Shoulder breadth (Bideltoid) 28. Span

3. Shoulder Height 16. Shoulder Breadth (Biacromial) 29. Elbow span

4. Elbow Height 17. Hip Breadth 30. Vertical grip reach (Standing)

5. Hip Height 18. Chest (bust) depth 31. Vertical grip reach (Sitting)

6. Knuckle Height 19. Abdominal depth 32. Forward grip reach

7. Fingertip Height 20. Shoulder-elbow length

8. Sitting Height 21. Elbow-fingertip length

9. Sitting eye height 22. Head length

10. Sitting shoulder height 23. Head Breadth

11. Sitting elbow height 24. Hand length

12. Thigh thickness 25. Hand breadth

13. Buttock-knee length 26. Foot length

 2

Secondary data about the impairments and constraints of aging is also used as basis for design in coming up with ergonomic standards for the elderly
such as Age-related effects on visual functions & hearing (Denno , et al., 1992), mobility, muscles, joints, sensory & perception, balance and position &
movement (Whitbourne, 2001)

The guidelines in this paper covers from ranges of environments such as residential environment, workplace environment and public open space
environments. Guidelines for the residential environment covers closet dimensions and kitchen dimensions that are optimal to the elderly with the given
constraints brought about by ageing. The coverage for guidelines in the workplace environment are based places to concentrate and places to collaborate.
The considerations for the design of these environments were based on the items tackled in the Spaces to concentrate only covers sedentary jobs in the
workplace. For public open space, the guidelines only covers specific dimensions for outdoor & wall seating, jogging and cycling paths and other guidelines
in addressing the impairments of the elderly in the outdoor setting.

This study also covers the validation of the Senior Citizen’s Center of Dumaguete City in terms of its ergonomic and safety features in accordance to
the impairments brought by aging, the anthropometric data gathered and the ergonomic standards created for the elderly in this paper.

Recommendations for architectural solutions that will further improve the ergonomic and safety conditions of the current Senior Citizen Center and
the Office of the Senior Citizen affairs is also a scope of this study. These recommendations are in accordance to the data gathered and the guidelines created
in this research.

However, the study is also limited to certain aspects such as the quantifying of anthropometrics in terms of Strength due to the lack of availability of
the necessary materials needed in doing so. Pheasant (2003) also recommends a “Fitting trial test” wherein prototypes of the items with varying dimensions
are then tested to the respondents to gather first hand opinions on the preference of the users. However, the researcher has limited means to conduct such
methodology which could potentially further strengthen the effectivity of the results gathered in the study. Consideration of proxemics is also delimited. Due
to the limited means of the researcher, the measuring tool used for gathering anthropometric data was a 3-m steel tape. Each measurer was provided.
 3

METHODOLOGY

Environment

FIGURE III
MAP OF DUMAGUETE CITY AND LOCATION OF THE STUDY
 4

Dumaguete, also known as “The City of Gentle People”, is the capital of Negros Oriental (Dumaguete - The City of Gentle People , n.d.). Ranking
number five (5) in the “7 Best places To Retire around The World” by Forbes (The 7 Best Places to Retire Around The World , n.d.), the city has a total
population of 131,377 as of 2015 census (Dumaguete: City in Visayas , 2017). About 6% of this population (7,843) aged 65 years and older. This study
intends to gather anthropometric data from this population in order to come up with ergonomic standards for the elderly.

FIGURE IV
AGE DISTRIBUTION OF DUMAGUETE CITY

Respondents
The target population of the study will be the Senior Citizens of Dumaguete City ranging from 60-85 years old whose population is about 7,843
which comprises the 6% of the entire population of the city as of 2015. The respondents were composed of members and officers of the said organization
from different barangay chapters namely, Cadawinonan, Calindagan, Banilad, Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2, Daro. Balugo, Batingue, Tabuk-tubig, Luke Wright,
Bajumpandan, San Jose Extension, Bunao, Batingue, Candau-ay, Junob and Motong. All the respondents are in good health condition and there were no
amputations, or any physical deformities among the subjects. Before the anthropometric data collection started, the study was thoroughly explained to them
 5

as well as the procedures in gathering data. Eight (8) research assistants over all were recruited to aid the Researcher in the anthropometric data collection of
the respondents. The collection lasted for about 4 days in separate events. The first day of collection was done on a regular once-a-week geriatric clinic of
the Senior Citizen Center. On the first day of collection, a survey of a respondent would last about approximately 15 minutes each. It was plausible that the
respondents were not enthusiastic enough due to the tedious process of the survey. The remaining three days of collection were done during the weekly
officers meeting at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs. Due to the assistance of 5 people – oriented and recruited by the Researcher – the 15-minute
survey was reduced to approximately 5 minutes per respondent. The target amount of population was about 120. Despite the expediting of the survey
procedures, only 72 people responded to the anthropometric survey which is comprised by 43 female respondents and 26 male respondents. It has been the
observation of the Researcher that the female respondents are more enthusiastic than those of the male respondents. This was also the same case of an
anthropometric research done by Kothiyal & Tettey (2001). This further implies that the typical anthropometric survey can be a tedious procedure for the
elderly. Therefore, it is recommended that for further studies covering anthropometrics of the same type of population be designed for efficiency to gather
stronger results.

Instruments
The thirty-two anthropometric dimensions were divided into two sets for both standing and seating positions. To aid the measurers in recording the
data, a data sheet and an illustration of anthropometric dimensions were provided for them to refer to the dimensions efficiently and accurately. The data
sheet included information about the respondents about the Name (optional), Barangay address, Sex and age. Each data sheet were also numbered for an
easy reference during tabulations and calculations. The rows of the data sheet were numbered corresponding to the dimensions to be measured indicated in
the illustrated reference. Two sets of data sheet were provided. Each set contains different sets of body dimensions. This was done to expedite the
anthropometric data collection procedures. Illustrated references were also provided for the measurers to accurately measure the dimensions needed. In the
same way as the data sheet, the illustrated reference provided were also in two (2) sets. And each set differs on the corresponding body dimensions to be
measured. The measurements were numbered in the illustrated reference in order to efficiently identify the dimensions to be measured. The numbers
provided in each set is also designated on the sequence of the number in order to safely and efficiently measure body dimensions.
 6

PROCEDURE

Gathering of Data
For preliminary data collection, interviews with the City Health office were done about the significance of the senior citizen center to the elderly. To
conduct the interview, a letter of intent was also sent to the City Health Officer.

In order to gather data collectively and quickly, arrangements have been done with the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines
(FSCAP). It was also timely that the schedule for anthropometric data collection matches the schedule of the FSCAP during their “Senior Citizen’s Week.” It
was arranged that the data gathering take place on their scheduled meetings in order to get as much respondents needed. To conduct the survey, a letter of
intent was also sent to the President of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association in the Philippines – Dumaguete City.

Eight people were recruited to assist the researcher to gather the appropriate data in a fast and efficient manner possible. Before the data gathering
procedure commenced, the eight assistants were oriented thoroughly on overview of the study and the data collection procedures. After the orientation, the
researcher and the assistants conducted a pilot test on the procedures systematized by the researcher. The aim of systematizing the data collection procedure
was to expedite the data collection process into five (5) minutes per respondent while measuring over thirty-two (32) body dimensions. It was successfully
done during the trials. During the pilot testing, safety precautions were also agreed upon especially when the measuring tool used can be dangerous
especially when certain body dimensions covers delicate sections of the body such as the eye height, sitting eye height, head breadth and etc.

To expedite the data gathering procedure, the thirty-two (32) body dimensions where divided into two sets in both sitting and standing positions. The
numbered references for every dimension also served as sequences in what dimensions should be measured after the other. The sequence was designed to
reduce the tedious transitions of sitting and standing in measuring the dimensions and to set an efficient order of measuring for the measurer. Measurements
for every dimension were recorded in the data sheet and tabulated and numbered in Microsoft Excel™.
 7

Treatment of Data
The anthropometric data collected were tabulated from the Minimum, Average and the Maximum which was recommended by Pheasant (2003) in
the practice of anthropometry. It is necessary for data to be tabulated in percentiles in order to translate them into specific ergonomic criterion. From
Pheasant’s (2003) recommended methodology on anthropometry, he states 4 Cardinal Constraints of Anthropometry. These constraints are Clearance,
Reach, Posture and Strength. However, Strength is not covered by this study as there are no specific instruments to quantify anthropometrics in terms of
strength. These cardinal constraints will then aid the ergonomist to create a criterion of ergonomics for specific items needed. For example, in determining
clearance constraints, Pheasant suggests that the biggest user in the population should be the limiting user so as to accommodate the smallest. In the case of
clearance constraints, it is most likely that the dimensions tabulated under the 95th percentile user be used in determining clearance constraints.

In the case of reach constraints, it is reverse with clearance constraints. Reach constraints must accommodate the smallest user in the population. This
is because the largest or tallest user can reach the item despite the height or length because of the extent of their dimensions are greater than that of the
smallest user.

Postural constraints, however, is very complicated. Two-way constraints is not impossible to occur. However, Pheasant suggests that one cannot
assume that a chosen dimension out of multiple constraints can be “absolutely perfect.” The ergonomist must be able to logically outweigh which among the
constraints are of value. In that way, a criterion and the limiting user can be identified.
 8

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Anthropometry. The branch of the human sciences that deals with body measurements: particularly with measurements of body size, shape, strength
and working capacity.

Ergonomics. A wide ranging field that seeks to design tools, equipment and tasks to optimize human capabilities.

Age-Friendly City. Encourages active ageing by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as
people age.

Limiting User. Hypothetical member of the user population who, by virtue of his or her physical (or mental) characteristics, imposes the most sever
constraint on the design of the artefact.

Fitting trials. An experimental study in which a sample of subjects use an adjustable mock-up of a workstation in order to make judgments as to
whether a particular dimension is ‘too big’, ‘too small’, or ‘just right’.

Refractive power. The ability of a substance to refract light expressed quantitatively by either its index of refraction or its refractivity

Visual Acuity. The ability to detect details on objects at varying distances

Dark adaptation. Occurs when moving from a bright light to a dim environment
 CHAPTER II

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents and tabulates the anthropometric data gathered from the selected respondents. The tabulated dimensions will serve as reference
in coming up with the ergonomic guidelines for the Filipino elderly in whose synthesis is aimed. Annotations of these body dimensions are also stated in this
chapter. This is to further understand the exact location and extents of the respective body dimensions. Comparison of these dimensions with other
ethnicities such as the British and Malaysians are done to extract general design implications on the ergonomic standards for the elderly. The anthropometric
data gathered are interpreted into ergonomic standards and it is shown in this chapter how these dimensions are translated into such by presenting a diagram
of the process. The synthesis of the ergonomic standards is also stated.

TABLE II
Tabulation of Anthropometric Data of the Filipino Elderly

Aged 60 and Over

BODY DIMENSION MALE FEMALE

MIN AVE MAX MIN AVE MAX
Fingertip height 492 640 700 464.5 590 675.5
Knuckle height 576 720 778 600 670 758.5
Hip height 714 850 898 721.5 820 938.5
Elbow height 924 1020 1100 871.5 960 1058.
 10

5
Upper limb length 650 720 836 611.5 720 820
BODY DIMENSION MALE FEMALE
MIN AVE MAX MIN AVE MAX
Shoulder-grip length 572 700 758 531.5 625 767
Vertical grip reach 1702 1840 1998 1540.4 1760 1917
(standing)
Span 1476 1630 1720 1391.5 1535 1694
Elbow Span 654 790 898 670 765 917
Foot length 128 240 270 200 230 250
Foot breadth 90 100 120 85.75 100 110
knee length 452 510 540 400 480 574
Sitting shoulder height 450 510 586 325 490 570
Sitting elbow height 130 200 250 130 195 258.5
Sitting eye height 592 650 754 541.5 640 717
Sitting height 680 760 840 641.35 750 808.5
Shoulder-elbow length 297.5 315 390 270 320 400.5
Elbow-fingertip length 397 450 520 348 410 461
Stature 1496 1570 1638 1403 1500 1600
Eye height 1396 1490 1546 1331.5 1420 1498.
5
Shoulder height 1242 1360 1420 1190 1275 1387
 11

Head length 170 200 238 151.5 190 227

Head Breadth 152 180 190 130 170 200
Hand length 110 130 190 101.5 130 180
Hand breadth 80 90 100 70 80 108.5
BODY DIMENSION MALE FEMALE
MIN AVE MAX MIN AVE MAX
Chest (bust) depth 152 190 220 151.5 210 270
Abdominal depth 150 220 316 160 200 339.5
Thigh Thickness 92 120 150 90 110 140
Buttock-popliteal length 344 410 448 351.5 390 468.5
popliteal height 374 480 530 370 385 557
Shoulder breadth 276 320 398 191.5 290 391
(biacromial)
Shoulder breadth (bideltoid) 340 420 478 303 400 450
Hip breadth 302 330 396 243 330 385.5
Vertical grip reach (sitting) 1012 1100 1492 1030 1100 1480
Buttock-knee length 460 510 548 433 490 567
 12

Table II shows the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile for each dimension. This means that a given percentile, the respective body dimension under it scores
greater than the given percentage. For example, the stature of the male respondent aged 60 years old and above has a dimension of 1638 mm under the 95th
%tile. That means that 95 percent of the male respondents aged 60 years and over has a stature lower than this number. The stature of the male respondent
aged 60 and over has a dimension of 1570 mm under the 50th percentile. That means to say that a male respondent that has a stature dimension 1570 is taller
than the 50% of the population. With that being said, users whose dimensions are tabulated under the 95 th percentile are identified as the biggest among the
population or the Maximum and those which are tabulated under the 5th percentile dimensions are considered the smallest dimension among the user
population or the Minimum. Those dimensions under the 50th percentile are referred to as the average dimension of the user population.

Translating the Anthropometric Data into Ergonomic Standards

PROBLEM FOUR
IDENTIFICATI CARDINAL
ON CONSTRAINT ERGONOMIC
DESIGN PRINCIPLES OF
CRITERIA ERGONOMICS S STANDARDS FOR
•Consideratio
n on Age- •Clearance THE ELDERLY
Related •Posture
Effects •Reach
•Postural and •Strength
Behavioral
requirement
s
FIGURE V
CREATION OF ERGONOMIC STANDARDS FOR THE
ELDERLY
 13

Figure XL shows the diagram of the process in creating the ergonomic standards for the elderly. First, the current conditions of a certain item or
dimensions are identified which will then be assessed through problem identification. The problem identification considers the age-related effects and the
postural requirements. It is then assessed in order to identify the consequences of the current situation for the elderly users. After identifying the problem,
design solutions are then discussed by creating a design criteria which will aim to mitigate the issues found in the problem identification. The Principles of
Ergonomics (McLeod , 1992) are integrated into the design criteria that was synthesized. The Principles of ergonomics will be the basis informing postural
solutions which will aid the four cardinal constraints in selecting the dimensions and the limiting user required for the standard. Anthropometry is then
integrated in the design to determine the dimensions required for a certain standard.

Ergonomics in the residential environment

According to the Global Age-friendly Cities: a guide, housing is essential to safety and well-being of the people. They argue that there is a link
between appropriate housing and access to community and social services in influencing the independence and quality of life of older people. Housing and
support allow other people to age comfortably and safety within the community to which they belong are universally valued (World Health Organization ,
2007). Hence, the need for age-friendly residential environments.

Closets
Closets are necessary for the storage of one of the basic needs which is clothing. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an efficient use of closets
especially the elderly. In using the closets, certain activities include at least of the following as shown in Figure (Illustration 1).

1.) Arranging clothes

2.) Picking clothes (either folded or hanged items)

3.) Navigating through compartments

14
 15

However, in the current set-up of closets, it is assessed by the Researcher that there are certain items in doing these basic tasks especially in terms of
postural requirements. The location of compartments requires users to perform tasks in different postures. The joints of the elderly have become less flexible
and frequent extension of these may cause discomfort. Different changes in posture will also pose the risk of falling because of the vestibular system
alterations in ageing. The elderly also encounters the reduction of the field of view. The inappropriate depths or heights of the compartments might obstruct
the line of sight towards the stored items in the closet. These obstruction will prompt the user to change postures and may pose risks and discomfort to the
elderly. The location or proximity of the compartments and items may require additional movement of the elderly which can pose risk of falling and
accidents.

In the visual changes associated with ageing, deep compartments can be dark in the sight of the elderly because of the reduction in visual acuity. This
might cause them to struggle in identifying the items they need to pick from the compartments.

In order to address these problems, the following criteria is created:

1.) The operation of closet must not require sudden changes in posture

2.) The operation of closet must be able to provide safe navigation of compartments in order to pick up items safely and with lesser risk of falling or
accidents

3.) The operation of closet must reduce movements

4.) The items stored must be visible for the elderly especially those with low visual acuity and refractive power.
16
 17

Figure (Illustration 2), indicates the ergonomic design solutions to mitigate the problems determined in Figure (Illustration 1). To reduce the multiple
changes in picking and storing items, all compartments are placed on the same level on standing position to reduce movement and required postures while
giving and option for subdivision of compartments. It is also indicated that a toe space is used for safety. The upper edge of this toe space as shown in Figure
(Illustration 2) is chamfered for safety.
 18

In Figure (Illustration 3), additional features of the design solutions aimed for ergonomics are indicated. First, since it is designed to reduce multiple
postural changes to a standing posture, a platform is provided made available for users to grab in case of falling, vertigo or loss of balance. This platform
also aids its users to navigate horizontally along the length of the closet giving access to its compartments. Task lighting is also provided on the outer top
board of the closet to address visual acuity and other impairments in vision.

Figure (Illustration 4), indicates a behavioral and postural analysis of accessing compartments of hanged clothes in the closet. It is indicated that the
eye height should be considered to pick clothes with minimal neck and head movements. To achieve this objective, the height of the closet hanging rod
 19

should be greater than the largest eye height dimension of the user population added with a 50 mm drop of hanged clothes from the rod to accommodate
vision. Therefore, the limiting user determined in this dimension are the male users under the 95th percentile among the user population in terms of eye
height dimension being the largest. The eye height dimension of the 95th percentile male users is indicated to be 1546 mm. The total height of the closet
hanging rod should be 1596 mm considering the 50 mm drop of clothes from the rod.
 20

Figure (Illustration 5) shows the criterion considered for determining significant dimensions of the platform made available for users to grab in case
of falling, vertigo or loss of balance. This platform also aids the user in navigating horizontally along the length of the closet giving access to its
compartments with minimal postural changes required.

In determining the height of the assistive platform, it is considered that its height should be reachable by the smallest user population categorizing it
as a Reach constraint. The shoulder height is considered to be the maximum allowable height of the assistive platform for it to be reachable. However, by
considering its main function as an assistive device in case of falling, vertigo and loss of balance it is determined that the height of the platform should be
lower than the shoulder height for leaning the arms in case of falling. Factoring in this consideration, the criteria for determining the height of the assistive
platform from the surface of the floor is changed from considering the shoulder height of the smallest user population to the smallest user population minus
300 mm for a more reachable height in case of falling, vertigo and loss of balance.

Through the criteria aforementioned in determining the height of the assistive platform, its height dimension is determined by considering the
shoulder height of the smallest user population which is the 5th percentile female users. The 5th percentile female users has a shoulder height dimension of
1182 mm. By this, the previously mentioned criteria dictate that the height of the assistive platform from the floor surface should be determined by the
shoulder height minus 300 mm. Therefore, the height of the assistive platform in closets is identified to be 882 mm or 800 mm.

One of the minute features of the assistive platform is that it also available for users to temporarily hang their clothes. Because of this, a round
engraving that stretches along the assistive platform is provided with a minimum radius of 5 mm.
 21

Figure (Illustration 6, 7, 8) shows the process of determining the appropriate dimensions necessary with ergonomics in its primary consideration. A
postural analysis is made to determine the appropriate ergonomic criteria to be used in determining the ergonomic dimensions of the closet compartments.
From this, it is determined that the compartments must have an appropriate height that accommodates the eye height of the smallest user population.
However, the lowest level of the compartment must not compel a change of posture from standing position because of the non-accommodation of the eye
height of smallest user population.
 22

The aforementioned criteria call for a double constraint in determining the appropriate ergonomic dimension. This means that there shall be multiple
limiting users considered in determining the ergonomic dimensions. This includes both the smallest and largest of the user population in terms of eye height
dimension. The smallest user population, which is the 5th percentile female, has an eye height dimension of 1339 mm. On the other hand, the largest user
population in terms of eye height (Male users under the 95th percentile) has an eye height dimension of 1566 mm.
 23

Figure (Illustration 9, 10) shows that there is an additional criteria in determining the appropriate ergonomic dimensions of the closet compartments.
Aside from the eye height of the largest user population (95th percentile males), the smallest user population is included as limiting users in terms of the
shoulder height dimensions and the elbow-fingertip height. The elbow-fingertip and shoulder height of the smallest user population (5th percentile females) is
used to identify the maximum limit of reach of the smaller user population which contributes to identifying the appropriate ergonomic dimensions of closet
compartments as shown in Figure (Illustration 9,10). Both dimensions are added in order to determine the appropriate dimension.

The aforementioned considerations dictate that the vertical dimensions of closet compartments should accommodate the eye height of the smallest
user population (95th percentile males) and the maximum reach limit of the smallest user population (5th percentile males). This result to the dimensions
shown in Figure (Illustration 9, 10) that the uppermost board of the compartments should not be less than 1530 mm from the floor surface. The lowest part of
the compartments should not be less than 800 mm.

Kitchen Countertops

Insert Illustration 1

Figure (Illustration 1, 2) shows the process of identifying common activities and postural analysis around kitchen countertops. The following
activities were identified:

1. Mixing

2. Slicing
 24

3. Washing

As observed from common activities or behaviors around kitchen countertops, standing in longer durations is usually done to work on food
preparations. However, Whitbourne (2001), suggests that there should be strong caution in allowing people with impairments in the vestibular system in
doing dangerous tasks while standing in longer durations as there is an evident risk of falling, vertigo and loss of balance. This can be detrimental in kitchen
countertops where slicing and cooking in the range is done while standing in longer durations.

Insert Illustration 2

The observation from postural analysis and common activities around kitchen countertops in Figure (Ilustration 1) such as standing in longer
durations while doing delicate tasks has implied to solve the conundrum by giving opportunities for elderly users with impairments of the vestibular system
to sit down while doing delicate tasks. The option of standing while working was not also neglected in working around kitchen countertops as shown in
Figure (Illustration 2).

Insert Illustration 3

The design objective of giving the users to sit down while working on kitchen countertops was achieved by creating two levels of different sides of
the same countertop as shown in Figure (Illustration 3). For those who prefer to sit down while working, an elevated surface is provided. The lower side of
the kitchen countertop allows users who are capable of standing while working around the kitchen. To fully achieve the design solution in ergonomic terms,
 25

it is modified through the creation of design criteria for both sitting and standing sides of the countertop. Initially, it is identified that both sitting and
standing side of the counter will depend on the elbow height for the appropriate height of the counter top. In the book entitled Body Space: Anthropometry,
Ergonomics and the Design of Work (Pheasant, 2003), it is recommended that the ideal countertop height should be at least 50 mm below the elbow height.
However, the kitchen countertop height must not be too low for the tallest user population nor too high for the smallest user population. Adhering to the
aforementioned design criteria for kitchen countertops, it is identified that the limiting user should be both the largest user population (95th percentile male
elbow height dimension) and the smallest user population (5th percentile female elbow height dimension). Both user populations have an elbow height
dimension of 1118 mm and 609 mm respectively. By considering two user populations as limiting users for kitchen counter top heights, the constraint is
therefore determined to have multiple constraints.

Insert Illustration 4

Insert Illustration 5

In designing with multiple constraints in mind, it is necessary that ideal countertop heights identified for each respective limiting user must be tested
to the other in order to identify what is suitable for both limiting users given that they have varying dimensions in terms of elbow height. This comparison is
shown in Figure (Illustration 4) for standing posture and Figure (Illustration 5) for the sitting posture of the kitchen countertop.

As shown in Figure (Illustration 4), the 5th percentile female users as limiting users for kitchen countertop heights in the standing posture leads to a
countertop height of 820 mm given that the 5th percentile female users have an elbow height dimension of 871.50 mm which is then subtracted by 50 mm.
Meanwhile, in Figure (Illustration 5), the largest user population is used to determine the kitchen countertop height dimension which is the 95th percentile
 26

male users. The 95th percentile male users have an elbow height dimension of 1118 mm. To comply with the aforementioned design criteria, the elbow
height dimension is subtracted to 50 mm which results to a kitchen countertop height dimension of 1068 mm or 1070 mm.

The varying dimensions of kitchen countertop heights determined by the respective limiting users are then compared in the standing posture as show
in Figure (Illustration 5). It is identified that both dimensions determined by the different limiting users varies b 280 mm. This variation alone does not
comply with the design criteria determined for both the largest user population and the smallest user population in which the countertop height must not be
lower than 50 mm of the elbow height dimension. For the larger user population, a kitchen countertop height determined through the smallest user
population is lower than 50 mm of their elbow height dimension. This negates the design criteria established in determining proper kitchen countertop
heights. Meanwhile, a kitchen countertop with a height determined by the largest user population is too high for the smallest user population.

The conundrum caused by the different user population has led to the conclusion that both dimensions vary greatly diminishes the compliance of the
criteria that kitchen countertops must not be lower than 50 mm of the elbow height of both user populations. However, it is recommended that the largest
user population be used as limiting user for determining the height of the kitchen countertop on its standing side while the smallest user population has the
option of using the sitting side, whether capable of standing longer durations or not, in case the kitchen countertop height on the standing side is far from
comfortable.

Insert Illustration 6, 7, 8

In determining the suitable dimensions of the sitting side of the kitchen countertop, the limiting user is determined. Since it was earlier concluded that
smaller users can use the sitting side of the kitchen countertop if they find that the standing side of the kitchen countertop has an uncomfortable height, the
limiting user of the sitting side will be the sitting elbow height dimension of the smaller user population (5th percentile female). A lower kitchen countertop
will accommodate the largest user population making the smaller users more ideal limiting users. The sitting elbow height of the 5th percentile female users
 27

is identified to be at 116 mm. However, to fully identify the appropriate kitchen countertop height from the elevated floor surface, the popliteal height must
be also considered. Given that the kitchen countertop height dimension from the floor surface is based on the smaller user population, it must be ensured that
there will be no obstructions to the popliteal height in case a larger user will use the sitting side of the kitchen countertop. Therefore, in determining the
kitchen countertop height from the elevated floor surface, the anthropometric dimensions to be considered should be the sum of smallest sitting elbow
height, the largest popliteal height dimension and the largest thigh thickness dimension. This result to a kitchen countertop height of 823 mm given that the
smallest elbow height among the user population is identified to be 116 mm, the largest popliteal height is 557 mm and the largest thigh thickness is at 150
mm.

Insert Illustration 9, 10, 11

However, given that the popliteal height and the thigh thickness of the largest user population is used, the kitchen countertop height of 823 mm may
be too high for the smallest users who wish to use the sitting side of the countertop. This calls for a usage of adjustable chairs with a height ranging from 320
mm to 580 mm as shown in Figure (Illustration 9, 10, 11).

Insert Illustration 12

In Figure (Illustration 12), the counter top width is determined on the standing side of the kitchen counter top with the aim of making all areas
reachable even by the smallest user including the other side of the kitchen counter top. To achieve this, the smallest user population is then used because the
 28

required dimension is categorized to be a reach constraint. In this case, the upper limb length dimension of the 5 th percentile female users will be used in
determining the width of the kitchen countertop. The upper limb length is identified to have a dimension of 611.50 mm by the 5 th percentile female users.
However, it is aimed that all areas until the other side must be reachable without bending the torso. Given the case, it is assumed that the upper limb of the
5th percentile female users will reach diagonally as shown in Figure (Illustration 12). Therefore, to determine the appropriate countertop height suitable for
the established design objective, the formula from the Pythagorean Theorem is used. The process result to a width of 630 mm.

Insert Illustration 13- Overall dimensions of Kitchen countertops

Ergonomics in the workplace

The Global Age-friendly Cities also cite that older people do not stop contributing to their communities on retirement and many continue to do
unpaid and voluntary work for their families and communities. In addition, they argue that economic circumstances have lead the older people to take paid
work long after they should have retired (World Health Organization , 2007). In the Philippine context, this argument is reinforced by Racelis et. Al in their
study entitled Filipino Living Arrangements, Work Activity and Labor Income as Old-age Support by stating that the consumption of the Filipino elderly 58
years old and over increases with age and it is inevitable tha tthey would want to add to the labor workforce of the country. Because of this situation, it is
imperative that the workplace environment be age-friendly in consideration to the elderly who would want to add to the Filipino labor workforce.

Spaces to Concentrate
Spaces to concentrate are spaces for knowledge workers (or the elderly workers) to undertake tasks that require sustained focus, high levels of
analysis and attention to details. Such spaces can be separate rooms, booths or designated areas of the main office. They should be designed for solo working
and should be separated from the noise and distraction of the general office and governed by strict protocols for working (Smith, 2008).
 29

To come up with guidelines in designing spaces to concentrate, a behavioral and postural analysis must be done first. However, due to the limited
time frame of the researcher, this section of the paper will only focus on sedentary work and have identified common activities when doing such. These
activities determined are as follows:

1. Reading

2. Writing

As seen on Figure (Illustration 1-a), when reading, the user tends to either lay flat or lift the material for comfortable use of sight when doing so. This
is then assessed through the 10 principles of ergonomics to come analyze possible problems in terms of ergonomics and to come up with solutions to
mitigate them. According to the 10 principles of ergonomics (McLeod , 1992), sedentary types of task should involve neutral positions. However, there are
some problematic areas in the observed behavioral and postural analysis that can be addressed by the 10 principles of ergonomics.

First, as stated in the 10 principles of ergonomics, for a position to be neutral, the “S-curve” must be maintained. This can be accomplished by
providing lumbar support on chairs. The “S-curve” means to slight “sway back.” However, reading while laying the materials flat as seen on Figure _____
requires tilting the head and the back down especially those who have low visual acuity for clearer vision. Secondly, the ergonomic principles state that for a
position to be neutral, the neck must be kept aligned. Laying down reading materials flat on the table requires tilting the head down especially who are
visually impaired as it would require nearer distances when reading for a clearer visibility of the material.

This goes the same way for writing. When writing down, there is a tendency for neck to be misaligned for longer hours and an injury-producing “C-
Curve” may occur as show in Figure (Illustration 1-a).
 30

Due to the assessment of the postural and behavioral analysis using the 10 principles of ergonomics (McLeod , 1992) , the ergonomic Space to
Concentrate aims for the following:

1. Writing and reading should be done by users in neutral posture in neck alignment and should allow users to be neutral by accomplishing the “S-
curve.”

2. Seats should allow positioning changes using height, backrest and foot rest.
31
 32

Shown in Figure (Illustration 1-b) are the ideal features that a seat in Spaces to Concentrate that would allow its users to achieve neutral postures
while working even on long hours. The chair must have an armrest of an adequate height to neutralize the elbows. The chair must also have adjustable
heights and should be movable. A curved back rest for lumbar support is also provided while having and adjustable inclination.

Based on these design solutions, it is imperative to identify these dimensions using anthropometrics. To do so, Pheasant recommends using the
Method of Limiting user and the 4 Cardinal Constraints (Pheasant, 2003). In this section there are several elements broken down to identify the limiting user
and the constraint to be used. As show in Figure (Illustration 1-a), these elements are the table height, the arm rest and the allowed minimum distance of the
chair from the table.
 33

In Figure (Illustration 1-a), the table height is determined by two constraints. First, the table must have an appropriate height that it should
accommodate the user with the smallest sitting elbow height dimension while it should also provide adequate clearance underneath for the largest user
population. This double constraint is then mitigated by considering the 5th percentile user in terms of elbow height and the 95th percentile user population in
terms of the popliteal height. These dimensions are 130 mm and 557 mm respectively. Adding them up will result to 687 mm. Therefore, the table height is
approximately 690 mm. It might be considered, that this height may be too high for the smallest user population. However, clearance is also deemed
important in determining this dimension. This is conflict is then addressed through the adjustable height of the chair.
 34

The arm rest height of Figure (Illustration 1-a) is determined by considering it as a reach constraint as the sitting elbow height must be able rest on it
for neutral positions. Pheasant cites that reach constraints must consider the smallest of the user population to accommodate both largest and smallest users.
In this case, the limiting user considered for the arm rest height dimension is the smallest user in terms of sitting elbow height which is 130 mm. This is
determined as the dimension of the arm rest dimension.
 35

Figure (Illustration 2-a) shows the maximum angle extent of the reading and writing area conceived from the schematics in Figure (Illustration 4)
with additional elements that can further mitigate the visual age-related effects. First, task lights are provided and is available for use to address the low
visual acuity possessed by some ageing users. These task lights are placed on the sides to reduce shadows casted on reading or writing materials created by
the hand. Figure (Illustration 4) indicates the maximum angular extent of the table surface dedicated for reading and writing. Lastly, it is also recommended
that table surfaces should have darker colors in order to avoid reflective glare which can impair and disrupt the vision of its users.
 36

It is show in Figure (Illustration 3-a) the minimum clearance allowed for users to navigate and do sedentary work. First, the table is oriented in an L-
shaped form to lessen navigation while doing sedentary work. This addresses the precautions of sudden change in movement experienced by the aged user
with problems regarding the somasensory system. As shown in Figure (Illustration 1-a), the minimum distance considered for the clearance of the chair away
from the table is 535 mm. Since the plan of the table is in an L-shaped form, a minimum clearance of 535 mm from both sides to the outer edge of the
backrest is provided.
 37

Figure (Illustration 4-a) shows how the ergonomic width and length of the table is computed. These dimensions are aimed to make every item placed
on the table reachable with minimum effort. This is done by considering the elbow-fingertip length. Since this is considered a Reach constraint, the limiting
user to be used in determining this dimension is the user with the least dimension in terms of the elbow finger-tip length which is the female 5th percentile
users. This dimension is 397 mm). As shown in Figure (Illustration 4-a), the width clearance of the users in the table, the dimension considered is the sum of
the maximum shoulder breadth (450 mm) possessed by the male 95th percentile and twice the shoulder breadth of the female 5th percentile user population
(397 mm). This width clearance determines the minimum length of the table. The width of the tale itself in Figure (Illustration 4-a) is determined with the
same aim of reachability as that of the width clearance. However, the Upper limb length of the smallest of the user population is considered. This dimension
belongs to the female 5th percentile users of the population (650 mm).
 38

Figure (Illustration 5-a) shows the recommended placement of lighting that avoids reflected glare that impairs the vision of the users. It is
recommended that light sources should be placed on aisles or the sides of the work surface rather than over it. Meanwhile, Figure (Illustration 6-a) shows the
recommended tables show in Figure (Illustration 4-a) and the recommended clearances. It is indicated that a minimum of 960 mm-1200 mm should be
provided in clearances to accommodate wheel chair. If wheelchair is not considered, a minimum of 900 mm is considered. The 960 mm width of the
clearance is determined by the largest shoulder breadth – Bideltoid which belongs to the male 95th percentile user population (450 mm).
 39

Spaces to Collaborate
It is also recommended in Welcoming Workplace: Designing office space for an ageing workforce in the 21st century knowledge economy (Smith,
2008) that dedicated spaces to collaborate should also be provided. Offices often lack project spaces in which teams can communicate their ideas and work
freely without worrying about making a noise, mess or pinning things up. Welcoming Workplace cites that in spaces to collaborate items such as digital &
traditional media display, furniture, bench style tables and dynamic lighting must be considered.
 40

In Figure (Illustration 1), solutions for age-related effects that can possible take place in digital & traditional media of the spaces to collaborate at the
same time provides the possible ergonomic solutions for this effect. First, the eye height must be considered in determining the topmost height of the bulletin
boards wherein they can pin important notes etc. to preserve neck alignment and reduce unnecessary neck movements that may cause injury especially when
maneuvering items on bulletin boards for longer times. The reach range is usually where the items pinned are located. Therefore, it is safe to claim that reach
ranges should also determine the topmost height of the bulletin board for all items of different heights to be reachable. This Secondly, a platform is provided
on the bottom part of the posting area to place adhesive and writing materials. This platform can also serve as handles in case a user with impairments in
mobility and somasensory system may be required to stand while viewing the board on longer hours than they can take. Third, a footrest is also provided in
case a longer time for standing while viewing is considered. This also allows the standing viewer to change in alternate postures in case longer standing
hours are required. And finally, track lights are provided on ceiling which illuminates the bulletin boards for users with visual impairments can view the
items posted or written clearly.
 41

In Figure (Illustration 2) determining the limiting users and ergonomic dimensions through anthropometrics are indicated in bulletin boards.
Elements such as the topmost height of bulletin boards are determined. As indicated in Figure (Illustration 1), the topmost height of bulletin boards must be
within the reach ranges which led the researcher to consider the largest vertical grip reach of the user population which belongs to the male 95th percentile
users with a dimension of 1917 mm. As this dimension is rounded of, the maximum topmost height of the bulletin boards can be having 1920 mm. The
height of the platform for adhesives and writing materials is determined through the largest fingertip height of 700 mm which belongs to the male 95th
 42

percentile users. A minimum distance for maneuvering the items on the bulletin board is determined through the largest elbow fingertip height of the user
population having the dimension of 520 mm. This dimension belongs the male users under the 95th percentile of the population. Lastly, the width of the foot
rest must be determined to maximize the efficiency of allowing users to have an alternate change in position through the largest dimension of foot length
among the population which is 270 mm. This dimension belongs to the male users under the 95th percentile of the population.

It is also indicated in Figure (Illustration 2) the ideal distance of sitting viewers of the bulletin boards by considering the 100 cm near point distance
(Denno , et al., 1992). However, a 100 cm clearance may not be enough for clearance requirements as there may be obstructions and users that require a
wider dimension making this recommendation as optional.
 43

Movable furniture is also recommended in Welcoming Workplace (Smith, 2008). This includes Bench-style tables and chairs of adjustable height. As
provided by Smith (2008), Bench style tables should allow users to spread out for solo work and at the same time it should also allow users to congregate. To
achieve this, table dimensions for collaborative spaces should be specified as shown in Figure (illustration 4) and Figure (Illustration 5). In Figure
(Illustration 4), the length and width are determined by the elbow span clearance and fore arm reach ranges. The forearm reach ranges or the elbow fingertip
length is used to determine widths to make every item placed for each user places on the table is within reach with minimum effort as shown in Figure
(Illustration 5). The width of the table is also determined by twice the dimension of the smallest elbow-fingertip length to allow users to sit facing each other.
This makes the minimum width of tables with users facing each other to 794 mm. This is due to the elbow fingertip length having the dimension of 397 mm.
This dimension belongs to the smallest of the user population which is the female users under the 5 th percentile. Figure (Illustration 5) also considers
clearances for solo work and congregating. For congregating, the largest elbow span is used to determine minimum clearances for congregating which
 44

belongs to the male users under the 5th percentile of the users having the length of 654 mm. Therefore, the minimum clearance for each user when
congregating should be at least 654 mm. To determine solo work clearance, the largest span dimension of the user population is used for reachability while
achieving a clearance for solo work which belongs to the 95th percentile of the females being the largest among the user population. This gives a minimum
solo work clearance of 1694 mm A foot rest is also provided underneath the table as shown in Figure (illustration 6) for alternative changes in position.
 45

Figure (Illustration 7) illustrates how the moveable furniture such as the bench-style tables and the bulletin board are integrated in the collaboration
spaces by determining appropriate clearances. Since it was previously determined that the minimum distance between the user and the bulletin board is 520
mm (see Illustration 2), it is important to add clearances for walking and chair allowance between the tables and the bulletin board. For clearances in walk
way the largest shoulder breadth-bideltoid dimension is considered. The limiting user for this dimension are the male users under the 95 th percentile of the
user population. In this case, the dimension is 478 mm. However, it was expanded to 500 mm for allowance. The clearance for spatial allowance of the chair
is determined by considering the foot length and the buttock-popliteal length of the largest user population. To integrate this in the clearance between
bulletin board and table, an allowance of 300 mm was considered for chair movements involved when standing up or sitting down. Considering that the
largest buttock-popliteal length is 468.50 mm by the female users under the 95th percentile population, the clearance for the chair can be 768.50 mm from the
edge of the table. In total, the sum of these dimensions gives a clearance of 1788.50 mm or 1800 mm in the minimum between the table and the bulletin
boards.

Ergonomics in Public Outdoor Spaces

The outside environment and public buildings, as stated by the World Health Organization, have a major impact on the mobility, independence and
quality of life of older people and affect their ability to age (World Health Organization , 2007). Therefore, public outdoor spaces should also be paid with
high regard for cities to become Age-Friendly.

Benches and Wall Seating

For urban furnitures such as benches and wall seatings, ergonomic design requirements were aimed to facilitate individuals with limited strength.
This include the width by creating a range of minimum and maximum length per person as shown in Figure (Illustration 1 and 2). Both minimum and
maximum considerations were based on the largest dimensions. For minimum length dimensions of seats, the largest shoulder breadth-bideltoid dimensions
were considered. Among the user population, it is the males under the 95th percentile that has the largest dimension of 478 mm. This means that in
determining the minimum length dimension for seats, it is considered that a 478 mm allowance is used. On the other hand the maximum dimensions rely on
 46

the largest elbow span dimension of the user population in which the females under the 95th percentile of the population possess. In the same way as the
minimum dimensions, the maximum dimension of the seats will be determined with 917 mm per user. This also implies that a required arm rest for the aid of
transition from sitting to standing (and vice versa) will also be spaced in the same manner.

Insert Illustration 1 and 2

Figure (Illustration 3) illustrates how the depth and vertical heights were determined using anthropometrics. To determine the appropriate width of
the seat, the largest buttock-popliteal length of the user population is considered in which the female users under the 95th percentile becomes the limiting user
having the dimension of 468 mm. Rounded off, the depth of seats can be 470 mm. For the height of the seat, the min. popliteal height was used to
accommodate both the largest and the smallest users. The smallest popliteal height is 370 mm belonging to the 5 th percentile female users hence, females are
the limiting users. For the back rest of the seat, the largest sitting shoulder height is used to determine the height. This is to accommodate both largest and
smallest among the users and to provide adequate heights for resting the back in neutral position. The largest sitting shoulder height dimension belongs to the
male users under the 95th percentile of the user population in which the dimensions is 586 mm. This allows a backrest height of 590 mm.

Insert Illustration 3

Wall seating in Figure (Illustration 4) can also be designed ergonomically by also considering the seat height through the use of the smallest popliteal
height by the female 5th percentile users with a dimension of 370 mm. This means that the height of wall seating shall be around 370 mm as well. A heel
space with a depth of 75 mm is also considered to aid the transition of users from seating to standing (and vice versa). Meanwhile, the edge of the seat is also
filleted to aid comfort and avoid injuries. In Figure (Illustration 4), the depth of the seat is also determined by the largest buttock-popliteal length dimension
by the female 95th percentile users among the user population which is 468.50 mm. This makes the dimension of the depth of seat at a minimum of 470 mm.

Insert Illustration 4
 47

Pathways
Figure (Illustration 1) shows that straight paths must aid the users of the intuitiveness of the space. Public outdoor spaces must be comprehended by
its users especially the elderly (Sarkissian & Stenberg, 2013). To achieve this feature, a visible line on the center and the sides should be provided for users
to understand the path as well as to avoid obstructions and other elements that may harm the elderly. It is also recommended in the study entitled Guidelines
for Planning for Older People in Public Space that benches for resting must be provided for the older at every 7 meters maximum and on center (Sarkissian
& Stenberg, 2013). In straight paths that have bike lanes and jogging paths as show in Figure (Illustration 1), a plant box or greenery should be provided to
separate and avoid harm towards the elderly and other users.

Insert Illustration 1

Changes in direction, as shown in Figure (Illustration 2), should be designed ergonomically with the intuitiveness of the pathway in mind. The user
must be able to visibly comprehend the change of direction to avoid accidents especially in multiple traffic areas. If changes in direction on larger angles
such as a 90 degree turn (shown in Figure-illustration2) two signages must be provided to inform users. One signage should be provided before the turning
point and the other must be provided on the turning point which can be seen from both segments of the pathway. This is recommended on pathways that
have larger turning point angles which may confuse the users to a straight path. Providing signages will aid users in comprehending the direction of
pathways and avoiding potential accidents.

Insert Illustration 2

For Entry and Exit points that intersects with other pathways or roads shown in Figure (Illustration 3), signages or land marks must be provided on
both sides or curbs. If signages are provided, it should be angled to provide aid in information of the intersection from both sides of the intersecting pathway
or road. Tactile cues such as railings should be provided to be detectable by canes of people with visual impairment. Visual cues are also provided in the
beginning of the pathway to signify its terminal point.

Insert Illustration 3
 48

For the bike lanes of the pathway shown in Figure (Insert illustration 4), a minimum width of 1500 mm for a one-way traffic is recommended in the
Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data (Adler, 1999). This an applied clearance between the planters and the curb or sidewalk. The Adler also
recommends that a vertical clearance of 2400 mm is provided to avoid obstructions.

Insert Illustration 4

The walking path and jog paths on Figure (Illustration 5) should provide a minimum clearance of 920 mm before the benches to provide appropriate
allowance for users transition from sitting to standing position (and vice versa). This is aimed to provide safety of users who may have impairments in
mobility which may cause them for slower transition in position. This allowance also gives space for people with impairments in the somasensory system
that requires a habitual pause in changing positions such as standing and sitting. This dimension is determined by considering the largest elbow span
dimension that belongs to the 95th percentile female users. This dimension is 920 mm. Trees are also provided for shading of the sitting and walking users.
However, this tree must be maintained to provide a vertical clearance of 2400 mm in the same way as the bike lanes in Figure (Illustration4).

Lawns and Gardens

The Time-saver standards for landscape architecture: Design and construction data provides that spaces along public highways should not constitute
potential hazard or nuisance. Plant materials can be used to mitigate the discomfort effects of wind, glare, reflection, temperature and humidity. And that the
elderly people have typically visual problems of slower diminished depth perception and a slower adjustment to abrupt changes in light. With careful
planting or other means, harsh transitions between areas of bright sunlight and deep shade can be softened. Unwanted conversation areas should be buffered
wherever possible (Harris, Dines, & Brown , 1998). This general guideline provided will be the bases of designing lawns and gardens of public and outdoor
spaces.

Insert Illustration 1
 49

In Figure (Illustration 1), trees in the landscape should provide shade along pavements and seats or outdoor benches. The trees should not provide
hazards such as slipper or poisonous fruits and falling leaves. Therefore, the trees provided in outdoor space such as lawns and gardens should be non-
deciduous at the same time non-fruit bearing. The pavements should also be made of non-slip material with no gratings to avoid accidents.

Insert Illustration 2

In Figure (Illustration 2), trees should provide shading upon the entry or exit of buildings and other dark areas to aid the transition from dark to bright
places and vice versa. Trees on the same placement will also minimize the glare that enters the building or on the pathway to the entry or exit of the building.

The Proposal for the Dumaguete Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs

The World Health Organization cites that cities should be able to provide structures and services to support their residents (elderly) well-being and
productivity in order to be sustainable throughout the upcoming changes. Moreover, government facilities such as the Senior Citizen Center and Office of
the Senior Citizen Affairs embodies the same objective cited by the World Health Organization of supporting the elderly residents in their well-being and
productivity. Furthermore, the Republic Act 7876 (2010) Defines Senior Citizen Centers as places with recreational, educational, health and social programs
and facilities designed for the full enjoyment and benefit of the senior citizens in the city or municipality. The act also cites the following functions of the
Senior Citizen Center that contributes to World Health Organization’s aim of “Age-Friendliness:”

1. Identify the needs, trainings and opportunities of senior citizens in the cities and municipalities;
 50

2. Initiate, develop and implement productive activities and work schemes for senior citizens in order to provide income or otherwise supplement
their earnings in the local community;

3. Promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and other instrumentalities of government and city and municipal councils for
the elderly and the Federation of the Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and other non-government organizations for the delivery of
health care services, facilities, professional advice services, volunteer training and community self-help projects; and

4. To Exercise such other functions which are necessary to carry out the purpose for which the centers are established.

Similarly, the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) provides the same contribution as the Senior Citizen Center as cited in the Expanded
Senior Citizen’s Act of 2010 (RA 9994, 2010 ) through the following functions:

1. To plan, implement, and monitor yearly work programs.

2. To draw up a list of available and required services which can be provided by the senior citizens.

3. To maintain and regularly update on a quarterly basis the list of Senior Citizens; to issue a nationally uniform individual Identification Cards
which shall be valid anywhere in the Country.

4. To serve as general information and liaison office or center to serve the needs of the Senior Citizens.

With this in mind, the Senior Citizen Centers and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs embody the mandate of Age-friendliness in the Philippine
context though their functions. Consequently, this study uses a Research by Design method. A Research by Design method suggests a practice where
research may arise from design – from proposal, model or experiment to generalization or rationalization by consciously extracting rules about the object of
the research process (Hauberg, 2011). For the purpose of this study, this will be done by designing a Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen
affairs to further identify the architectural and spatial elements that will contribute in coming up with ergonomic guidelines coherent to the aim of Age-
 51

friendliness. This will be done by applying the data gathered pertaining to the age-related effects, the principles of ergonomics and the collected
anthropometric data of the elderly within the context of establishing a Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs in Dumaguete City.

Values and Goals of the Project

The proposal for a new Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs focuses on the following values and goals:

1. Age-friendliness and accessibility

2. Enabling environment

3. Sense of community

4. Sense of home

5. Sustainability

Age-friendliness and Accessibility

The proposed Dumaguete Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs should harness accessibility to the elderly and safety in
using the facility through ergonomics and anthropometrics. The proposed facility should also address the age-related effects that comes with ageing

Enabling Environment
The proposed Dumaguete City Senior Citizen Center and Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs should promote an enabling environment for the Senior
Citizens of the City. The environment of the facility should encourage productivity and a sense of independence among the elderly.
 52

Sense of Community
The proposed facility must encourage a sense of community among the elderly and the society to avoid the feeling of isolation and no longer vital in
the community. This is achieved by integrating public spaces in the facility.

Sense of Home
The proposed facility should not embody or resemble an institutional environment that depicts ageing as an illness rather than a development. This is
achieved by providing a sense of place that welcomes it’s users and an architectural character that depicts a sense of home rather than institutional.

Sustainability
The proposed facility should be able to adapt to sustainable strategies that takes the natural environment into consideration without compromising the
needs and aspirations of the Senior Citizens of the City.

Site Selection
According to the Time Saver Standards for all building types, there are three considerations in selecting the site for senior citizen’s center. First, the
site must be accessible to public transportation. Second, the site must be centrally located – not remote but must have an element of privacy. Finally, the site
must have a level ground.
 53

FIGURE VI. SITE LOCATION MAP

The site selected is located in Barangay Candau-ay Dumaguete City. In coherence with the criteria stated, the site is accessible to public
transportation. It is located along the Dumaguete-Palimpinon road which is a 6.00 meter wide major thoroughfare. The thoroughfare is the access of Candau-
ay residents to and from the city and vice versa. It is frequented by “Pedicabs”, “Easy rides”, and private vehicles. It is along El Pueblo Genovivo – a
residential area. It can be said that it is not remote but has an element of privacy. During the site visit, it was also confirmed that the lot terrain of the
proposed site is generally flat. This aligns with the criteria that a site with a level ground is desirable.
 54

Site Analysis

FIGURE VII. SITE INVENTORY

 55

The selected site is a longitudinal lot the stretches towards Northeast and Southwest. It is fenced with a firewall on the side facing northeast by a
firewall. The selected lot is also an interior lot with only one mean of access (southwest side)

Using the SWOT analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities of the site are assessed. This is necessary as it affects the design process of the
site. In SWOT analysis, various areas are focus in order to see through different aspects of the lot. These areas are:

1. Street patterns
2. Perspective and relationships or views
3. Natural and man-made elements
4. Movement and circulation within the site
5. Climate- Sun angles and shadows
6. Climate- Wind path

Street Patterns
TABLE III
SWOT ANALYSIS FOR STREET PATTERNS

STRENGHTS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

Reached by Public Vehicles such as
pedicabs and easy-rides
Road Right of Way is only 6.00 m
wide which could disrupt traffic
when disturbances occur such as
stopping, turning and etc.
-There are no alternative streets for
accessing the site since the site is an
inside lot
-a parking are or a layby at the
frontage can be provided
A parking area in the frontage is far
from the vicinity contrary to te
provisions of the BP 344
-Entry to the site will be distant for
the elderly
-the width of the site may ot be
sufficient
 56

-no pedestrian sidewalks along road -an existing tree is located on the
right of way that allows for stopping frontage may disrupt vehicle
of vehicles for passengers without circulation.
disrupting traffic flow

In this area, the objective for street patterns is that it should provide an efficient entry or exit without disrupting traffic of the major thoroughfare. The
design for entry should be safe for egress of pedestrians and vehicle users. In the assessment of this area of the lot from the SWOT analysis, it can be
designed to minimize vehicle turns and stops that disrupts traffic congestion of the thoroughfare by providing two-way private roads and adequate
circulation areas on parkig

Perspective relationship or views

TABLE IV.
SWOT ANALYSIS FOR PERSPECTIVE RELATIONSHIP OR VIEWS

STREGNTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

-the site can be viewed directly from -Vehicles coming from the west of -Visual quality of façade must e fully -Visual quality in the front line may
road righ of way the right of way cannot immediate appreciated from the right of way be disrupted due to the blocking of
-site can be viewed by incoming recognize the proposal due the -emphasis of landmarks must be parking and drop-off
vehicles coming from the city northwest fence or firewall provided especially for those who are -excessive navigational elements or
-the eastern lot provides a view of -an existing acacia tree is situated in coming from the west of the road landmarks for site’s recognition
vegetation to the site the frontline of the lot which can right of way. The tree on the front might take up space for entry, drop-
potentially disrupt the visual quality line should also contribute to the off and parking
 57

of the site visual quality of the space in terms of -retention of the exiting tree might
-the view provided by the lot on the the site’s recognisability. disrupt circulation on entry, drop off
east mayn ot be existing for long as -The east side of the site should also or parking
the lot has a potential for future provide vista for the buildings in the
developments. west side

Natural and Man-made Elements

TABLE V SWOT ANALYSIS FOR NATURAL AND MAN-MADE ELEMENTS

STREGNTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

-Existing greenery on the site -Coconut trees randomly placed on -Unpaved areas should be covered in -The vertical garden on the western
contributes to the cool microclimate inner sections in the lot are not safe greenery and shaded by non- hard fence may become hard to
of the shaded areas to retain in the proposal as it is fruit- deciduous, non-fruit bearing trees to maintain and may lose its primary
-The existing tree provides shade bearing and may cause accidents to contribute to the cool outdoor purpose.
upon entry to the site as it is situated the users. temperature -Retention and development of
in the frontage. -Banana plants on the northwest side -retain the shrubs and develop for shrubs on the east side may
-Shrubs on the east side of the lot of the lot is also harmful as it also additional vista and boundary encourage littering.
signifies the site’s boundary bears fruit. definition.
-The hard fence on the west side does -Remove banana plants and coconut
not contribute to the visual quality of trees as they are not necessary and
the proposal. It can also contribute to may pose harm to the users of the
 58

the warm temperature to its proposal.

proximate buildings. -hard fence on the west side can be
-the tree located on the frontage may converted into a vertical garden for
shed leaves that may cause slipping insulation, good air quality and
and other injuries if unattended. aesthetics.
-The tree may pose risk during -Waiting sheds and covered
typhoons as it may have the tendency walkways should protect negative and
to fall due to high winds. positive spaces in the frontage to
avoid accidents and injuries in these
spaces.

Movement and Circulation Within the Site

TABLE VI SWOT ANALYSIS FOR MOVEMENT AND CIRCULATION WITHIN THE SITE

STREGNTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

-West and eastern sides are longer -The south and norther sides are -Buildings or spaces can be oriented -Longer sides oriented north and
than the norther and southern sides smaller in length and may such that the longer side faces north west may take up space for
which may be suitable for buildings compromise pathway widths to the or south and the shorter side faces pathways and the spaces on the east
and spaces to be oriented in this way. extent of non-suitability for the east or west. side.
-The Right of Way and the hard elderly. -The north and south side can be -The retained tree on the south may
fence on the north side can be means -A sudden change in width on the designed to emphasize the Right of block the view of the Road Right of
 59

of comprehending the site or spaces.
west side of the lot may affect the Wayand the hard fence as landmarks Way.
layout of spaces. Hence, the direction for navigation or comprehending -Parking and drop-off may block
of pathways is affected. which among them is the rear side and disrupt the view on the Road
and the frontage. Right of Way.
-Spaces with greater density should
be spatially arranged so as to allow
alignment of spaces thus, occupying
the side that suddenly changes.
-This sudden change may also be a
point of interest in navigation or
going through the space.

Climate – Sun Angles and Shadows

TABLE VII SWOT ANALYSIS FOR SUN ANGLES AND SUN SHADOWS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

-The site is mostly open which can
be taken as an advantage for natural
day lighting.
-The west hard fence can cast
shadows to spaces in the afternoons.
-Sides on the east side may be hotter
on mid-day and noon time.
-Afternoons can emit and give-off
hotter temperature on the space
located on the west side.
-Spaces that need adequate -Too much sun exposure may bring
daylighting may take advantage of the discomfort for the elderly especially
morning or mid-day sunlight on east those with sensitive skin and those
and afternoon sunlight on the west by sensitive to glare.
orienting the short sides towards both -The western side spaces may be
 60

directions. over shaded in the afternoons due to

-Spaces that need adequate the hard fence located.
daylighting especially for those with
visual impairments should utilize sun
path on mid-day, morning and
afternoon.
-The western fence should be utilized
to cast shadows and be used for
controlling day-light exposure.
-Spaces on the east should be given
proper fenestrations and shading for
controlling sun exposure.

Climate – Wind Path

TABLE VIII SWOT ANALYSIS FOR CLIMATE - WIND PATH

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

-Northeast monsoon winds can -Western sides gets limited air due to -Maximize location of spaces that -May block the vista provided by the
easily pass through the site as there the fence located. need prevalent air by orienting neighboring lot on the west side.
are no barriers. -Northern side also gets limited air. fenestrations to either north, east and -Façade of spaces on the east side
-Wind can pass through the south south. may have the tendency to lose
 61

side of the lot as there are no barriers -Provide open spaces on the west to
like the north east side. allow air from southeast monsoon at
its season while providing openings
and clearances from east side spaces
to allow air from the northeast
monsoon to pass through. This will
also allow daylight on both sides of
eastern spaces to be accommodated
character.
-the composition of the building
from southern view may be off due
to asymmetry and loss of
geometrical balance.
-Opportunity for entry or egress on
eastern section of the south side may
be compromised due to the barrier
created by eastern spaces.

Architectural Programming

Roles and Functions of the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs

The roles and functions of the Senior Citizen Center and the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs are used to determine the spaces needed in the
facility. According to the RA 7432 or the Act to Maximize The Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building. Grand Benefits and Special Privileges
and For Other Purposes (1991), the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs has the following functions under the office of the City Mayor and headed by a
Councilor:

a. To plan, implement and monitor yearly work programs in pursuance of the Act.
b. To draw up a list of available and required services which can be provided by the Senior Citizens.
c. Maintain and regularly update on a quarterly basis the list of Senior Citizens; To issue a nationally uniform individual identification cards which
shall be valid anywhere in the Country.
 62

d. To serve as a general information and liaison center to serve the needs of the Senior Citizens.

The main functions of the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs are also stated in the Act in Section 3, the contribution to the community. This section
also states that the qualified Senior Citizens may render his or her services to the community which shall consist of but not limited to:

a. Tutorial and/or consultancy services

b. Actual teaching and demonstration of hobbies & income generating skills.
c. Lectures on Specialized fields like agriculture, health protection and the like.
d. The transfer of new skills acquired by virtue of their training
e. Undertaking of appropriate services as determined by the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs such as school traffic guide, tourist aid, pre-school
assistant and etc.

As mentioned in the RA 7432 (1991), the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs shall also issue a nationally uniform individual identification cards
which shall be valid anywhere in the Country. Furthermore, the Act states the process of the issuance of the nationally uniform identification cards. This is
also necessary in determining the spatial requirements of the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs.

1. The Senior Citizen shall enlist at the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).
2. The OSCA determines the eligibility of the Senior Citizens. The Eligible SCs shall provide the OSCA:
a. Two (2) ID pictures taken within the year of enlisting at the OSCA (One for the registration form and one for the ID cards).
3. The OSCA shall prepare a list of the SC’s to be certified by the local office of the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and the CRO (Civil
Registrar’s Office).
4. Duplicate copy of the certified list of Senior Citizens shall be submitted by the OSCA to the DSWD field office.
5. The Bureau of Disabled Persons Welfare, DSWD shall send to the fourteen (14) DSWD offices numbers of IDs needed by the Elderly of the
region.
6. DSWD field office shall issue the ID cards duly signed by the municipal or city mayor to qualified senior citizens.
 63

7. The OSCA shall issue ID cards duly signed by the municipal or city mayor to the Senior Citizens.
8. The OSCA shall issue the nationally uniform ID card without cost to the Senior Citizens.

Roles and Functions of the Senior Citizen Center

From the Republic Act 7876 (2010) or the Act establishing a Senior Citizens Center in all cities and municipalities of the Philippines, and
appropriating funds therefore, Senior Citizen Centers are defined as the place established by the Act with recreational, health and social programs and
facilities designed for the full enjoyment and benefit of the senior citizens in the city or municipality. The Senior Citizen Centers are extensions of the
fourteen (14) regional offices of the Department and shall carry out the following functions:

a. Identify the needs, trainings, and opportunities of senior citizens in the cities and municipalities;
b. Initiate, develop and implement productive activities and work schemes for senior citizens in order to provide income or otherwise supplement
their earnings in the local community;
c. Promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and other instrumentalities of government and city and municipal councils for
the elderly and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and other non-government organizations for the delivery of health
care services, facilities, professional advice services, volunteer training and community self-help projects; and
d. To exercise other functions which are necessary to carry out the purpose for which the centers are established.

Spatial Identification and Allocation

From the indicated roles and functions of the Senior Citizen Center and the Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs, the Researcher has identified the
spaces needed for the proposal. It is also determined that the facility shall be divided into two zones. These are zones are the SCC zone and the OSCA zone.
A breakdown of the spaces below is indicated and was determined based on the main functions of the Senior Citizen Center and the Office of the Senior
Citizen Affairs.

TABLE IX SPACE IDENTIFICATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN AFFAIRS

I. Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs

 64

Roles and Functions Space requirements

OSCA Coordinator's office
Reception Area
Waiting Area
1. Maintain and regularly update on a quarterly basis the list of the Senior
Citizens in that area of coverage Toilets
Storage
Secretary
Records and Clerical
Waiting Area
Counters for registration
2. Issue a nationally uniform individual ID cards which shall be valid Photo studio
anywhere in the Country.
Duplicating Area
Distribution or Claiming counter
Storage
Complaint's Desk
3. To serve as a liaison center or office to serve the needs of the senior
citizens in their area of coverage Counselling Room
Records and Storage
4. To report or submit applicants who may want to render services to the
community. OSCA Coordinator's office

TABLE X SPACE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER

II. Senior Citizen Center

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Roles and Functions Space requirement

Administrator's Office (FSCAP President)

Conference rooms (FSCAP Officers)

Staff Areas:
Secretary's office

1. Identify the needs, trainings and opportunities of Senior Citizen's in their Records and Clerical
respective area of coverage.
Storage Room

Break room

Reception Area

Toilets

Storage Room

2. Implement, initiate and develop productive activities and work schemes Activity area - Multipurpose Hall
for the Senior Citizen's in their area of coverage.
Cafeteria
3. To promote and maintain linkages with the provincial government units Medical Clinic
and other instrumentalities of government and municipal councils for the
elderly and the Fedeation of Senior Citizen Association of the Philippines Dental Clinic
and other non-government organizations for the delivery of: health care
services, facilities, professional advice service, volunteer training and
community self-help projects. Waiting Area
 66

Relationship Matrices and Diagrams

The proposed facility is composed 3 Major zones. The Senior Citizen Center that composes the activities Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs and the
Public Square. Their interrelationships are as show below.

FIGURE VIII. MAJOR ZONES BUBBLE DIAGRAMS

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Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs Relationship Matrices and Bubble Diagrams

FIGURE IX. OSCA ZONES

 68

FIGURE X. OSCA ADMIN ZONE BUBBLE DIAGRAMS

 69

FIGURE XI. LIAISON AND SC ID AREA BUBBLE DIAGRAM

 70

Senior Citizen Center Relationship Matrices and Bubble Diagrams

FIGURE XII. SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER MAJOR ZONES

 71

FIGURE XIII. SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER ADMIN ZONE BUBBLE DIAGRAM

 72

FIGURE XIV. SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER MEDICAL AND AMENITIES ZONE

 73

FIGURE XV. SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER ACTIVITY ZONE

 74

Movement Analysis

FIGURE XVI. SITE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

 75

TABLE XI. TYPICAL SITE MOVEMENTS AND LOCATION TO SITE

I. SITE MOVEMENT
TYPE OF MOVEMENT LOCATION TO SITE
1. Walking Pedestrian walkway from entry
Building access
Public square in Frontage
Public Vehicle drop-off
Building access
Private vehicle drop-off
Parking lot
Senior Citizen Centrer
Egress
2. Lounging (sitting, squatting on landscapes) Public square in frontage

Public square
3. Unloading from vehicle Public vehicle drop-off
Private vehicle drop-off
Parking lot
4. Driving towards parking lot Parking lot
5. Parking Parking lot
6. Navigation Public square
7. Operation of doors or opening Senior Citizen Center
OSCA Admin offic
Multipurpose hall
Medical zone
Cafeteria
8.Waiting Public vehicle drop-off
Private vehicle drop-off
9. Loading to vehicle Public vehicle drop-off
Private vehicle drop-off
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FIGURE XVII. CAFETERIAL MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

 77

FIGURE XVIII. MEDICAL ZONE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

FIGURE XIX. SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER OFFICE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

FIGURE XX.OFFICE OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN AFFAIRS MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

 78

FIGURE XXI. MULTIPURPOSE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

 79

TABLE XII.TYPICAL BUILDING MOVEMENTS AND LOCATION

I. Building Movement
TYPE OF MOVEMENT Building location
1. Navigation Multipurpose hall
Senior Citizen Center - Entry
OSCA - Entry
OSCA - Reception
OSCA - waiting area
Medical Zone - Waiting area
Public Square
Cafeteria - Entry
Cafeteria - Sitting
2. Walking towards intended space Senior Citizen Center - Entry
Senior Citizen Center - Reception
Senior Citizen Center - Waiting area
OSCA - waiting area
Medical Zone - Waiting area
Medical (Dental) Zone - Reception
Medical (Geriatric) Zone- Reception
Cafeteria - Entry
Cafeteria - Sitting
**walking with food tray carried Cafeteria - Food counter
Cafeteria - T&B
3. Waiting Senior Citizen Center - Reception
4. Communication Senior Citizen Center - Reception
OSCA - Reception
5. Queuing Senior Citizen Center - Waiting area
OSCA- Waiting Area
Medical Zone - Waiting area
Medical (Dental) Zone - Reception
Medical (Geriatric) Zone- Reception
 80

Cafeteria - Food counter

6. Sitting Senior Citizen Center - Waiting area
OSCA - waiting area
Medical Zone - Waiting area
Medical (Dental) Zone - Reception
Medical (Geriatric) Zone- Reception
Cafeteria - Sitting
7. Lounging Public Square
8. Outdoor Activities Public Square
9. Food Selection Cafeteria - Food counter
10. Door or Opening operation T& B
11. T&B usage T&B
Ergonomic Design Requirements

I. Site Movements

Type 1 Walkways
 82

Type 2 Walkways

Seats For Lounging

 83

Vehicle Drop-offs

Site Navigation
 84

Door Operation on building Entry

Waiting Areas
 85

II. Building Movement

Navigation –Entry

Doors

Clearances (Entry and Navigation)

Clearances in the Waiting Area

Queuing in the Waiting Area

Schematic Design

Design Philosophy

Design Concepts

Translations
86
FIGURE XXII. SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
 CHAPTER III

SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Some people expressed that when they age, they lose their dignity and independence (Chen, 2001) caused by the decline in ability to perform daily
activities, increased reliance on others for assistance and increased risk of social isolation (Elizabeth, 2015). However, ergonomic standards for the elderly is
a necessary tool that could deliver a sense of independence giving them a sense of purpose and alleviate their suffering. This study was responded by 72
people in total with age ranging from 60-80 years old. The respondents consist of 43 females and 26 males and are residents of Dumaguete City. These
respondents participated in the anthropometric data collection of over 32 body dimensions as recommended by Pheasant (Bodyspace: Anthropometry,
ergonomics and the design of work , 2003). Secondary data were also gathered and reviewed that consists information about the impairments and age-related
effects that is considered in coming up with ergonomic standards for the elderly. Case studies were also done in order to identify what consists of the
standards in the residential, workplace and public outdoor environment.

Findings
As people age, a lot of changes in the body occur. These changes occur in the physical or biological aspect of the human body. Besdine (Besdine,
2018) enumerates certain physical decline of the elderly. 1.) As cells age, they function less well. Eventually, old cells must die, as a normal part of the
body’s functioning. Old cells sometimes die because they are programmed to do so. The genes of cells program a process that, when triggered, results in
death of the cell. This programmed death, called apoptosis, is a kind of cell suicide. The aging of a cell is one trigger. Old cells must die to make room for
new cells. Other triggers include an excess number of cells and possibly damage to a cell. Old cells also die because they can divide only a limited number of
times. This limit is programmed by genes. When a cell can no longer divide, it grows larger, exists for a while and then dies. 2.) Bones tend to become less
dense. Loss of bone density is osteoporosis. With osteoporosis, bones become weaker and more likely to break. In women, loss of bone density speeds up
after menopause because less estrogen is produced. Estrogen helps prevent too much bone from being broken down during the body’s normal process of
 90

forming, breaking down, and re-forming bone. 3.) The amount of muscle tissue or muscle mass and muscle strength tend to decrease beginning around the
age of 30 and continuing throughout life. Some of the decrease is caused by decreasing levels of growth hormone and testosterone, which stimulate muscle
development. Also, muscles cannot contract as quickly because more fast-contracting muscle fibers are lost than slow-contracting muscle fibers. However,
aging effects reduce muscle mass and strength by no more than about 10-15% during an adult’s lifetime. These listed changes are just some of the factors
that come along with the aging population. Other factors include those that involve the organs, eyes (vision), ears (hearing), mouth and nose, skin, brain and
nervous system, heart and blood vessels, muscles of breathing and the lungs, digestive system, kidneys and urinary tract, reproductive organs, endocrine
system, blood production and the immune system.

Isle et al. (Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992) also cites the disabling conditions on the Human Factors Design Guidelines for the Elderly and People with
Disabilities such as the Age-Related Effects on Hand Strength, Age-Related effects on Visual Functions and the Age-related effects on hearing. Age-related
effects on hand strength, according to Isle et al. (Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992) is when actual strengths and percentage decreases as the age increases such as
hand grip, lateral pinch, tip pinch strength and palmar pinch. Second, Isle et al (Isle , Denno , & Metz , 1992) has also cited the types of age-related effects
on visual functions in terms of refractive power, accommodation, acuity, dark adaptation, color vision, temporal resolution, depth perception & the visual
field. Finally, the age-related effects on hearing are classified as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Conductive hearing loss occurs when the external ear
malfunctions in the gathering of sound, obstruction of the external auditory canal or when the transfer of sound energy to the cochlea by the eardrum or
ossicles of the middle ear is inefficient or incomplete. Mixed hearing losses also occurs when there exist elements of both hearing disorders – conductive or
sensorineural. They also state that presbycusis also happen in aging when gradual reduction in hearing reduces while the age is advancing. The elderly can
have greater speech discrimination impairment than young adults, although hearing ability is the same for both groups. Isle et al. also provides hearing
thresholds that provides the degree of impairment that a certain range of loudness in decibels can bring as shown in Table I.

By integrating the principles of ergonomics, anthropometrics and the 4 Cardinal constraints, it is possible to build ergonomic standards for the
elderly. The following table shows the anthropometric data of 72 respondents from Dumaguete City aged 60 and over
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BODY DIMENSION MALE FEMALE

MIN AVE MAX MIN AVE MAX
Fingertip height 492 640 700 464.5 590 675.5
Knuckle height 576 720 778 600 670 758.5
Hip height 714 850 898 721.5 820 938.5
Elbow height 924 1020 1100 871.5 960 1058.
5
Upper limb length 650 720 836 611.5 720 820
BODY DIMENSION MALE FEMALE
MIN AVE MAX MIN AVE MAX
Shoulder-grip length 572 700 758 531.5 625 767
Vertical grip reach 1702 1840 1998 1540.4 1760 1917
(standing)
Span 1476 1630 1720 1391.5 1535 1694
Elbow Span 654 790 898 670 765 917
Foot length 128 240 270 200 230 250
Foot breadth 90 100 120 85.75 100 110
knee length 452 510 540 400 480 574
Sitting shoulder height 450 510 586 325 490 570
Sitting elbow height 130 200 250 130 195 258.5
Sitting eye height 592 650 754 541.5 640 717
Sitting height 680 760 840 641.35 750 808.5
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Shoulder-elbow length 297.5 315 390 270 320 400.5

Elbow-fingertip length 397 450 520 348 410 461
Stature 1496 1570 1638 1403 1500 1600
Eye height 1396 1490 1546 1331.5 1420 1498.
5
Shoulder height 1242 1360 1420 1190 1275 1387
Head length 170 200 238 151.5 190 227
Head Breadth 152 180 190 130 170 200
Hand length 110 130 190 101.5 130 180
Hand breadth 80 90 100 70 80 108.5
BODY DIMENSION MALE FEMALE
MIN AVE MAX MIN AVE MAX
Chest (bust) depth 152 190 220 151.5 210 270
Abdominal depth 150 220 316 160 200 339.5
Thigh Thickness 92 120 150 90 110 140
Buttock-popliteal length 344 410 448 351.5 390 468.5
popliteal height 374 480 530 370 385 557
Shoulder breadth 276 320 398 191.5 290 391
(biacromial)
Shoulder breadth (bideltoid) 340 420 478 303 400 450
Hip breadth 302 330 396 243 330 385.5
Vertical grip reach (sitting) 1012 1100 1492 1030 1100 1480
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Buttock-knee length 460 510 548 433 490 567

Conclusion

The standards or artefacts that should be included in the ergonomic design guidelines for the elderly.
Based on the review of related literature, there is a need for creating ergonomic environments in the residential, workplace and public outdoor
environments.

For residential environments, this study has included the ergonomic design of closets and kitchen spaces that is suitable for the elderly.

Workplace environments are categorized into three parts namely, the spaces to concentrate, the spaces to collaborate and the spaces to contemplate.
For spaces to concentrate, the appropriate ergonomic design for desks, and the layout of workstations are included. For spaces to collaborate, appropriate
rules of thumb for the dimensions of the tables for collaboration are indicated with respect to the number of users. Bulletin boards are also included in the
standards for the space to collaborate

Public outdoor environments

What are the body dimensions to be collected in coming up with an anthropometric standard for the elderly?
Pheasant (Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics and the design of work , 2003) recommend 32 body dimensions to be collected in the principles
and practice of anthropometry. These are the following:
1) Stature 17) Hip Breadth

2) Eye height 18) Chest (bust) depth

3) Shoulder Height 19) Abdominal depth

4) Elbow Height 20) Shoulder-elbow length

5) Hip Height 21) Elbow-fingertip length

6) Knuckle Height 22) Head length

7) Fingertip Height 23) Head Breadth

8) Sitting Height 24) Hand length

9) Sitting eye height 25) Hand breadth

10) Sitting shoulder height 26) Foot length

11) Sitting elbow height 27) Foot Breadth

12) Thigh thickness 28) Span

13) Buttock-knee length 29) Elbow span

14) Popliteal height 30) Vertical grip reach (Standing)

15) Shoulder breadth (Bideltoid) 31) Vertical grip reach (Sitting)

16) Shoulder Breadth (Biacromial) 32) Forward grip reach

Suitable ergonomic standards for the Filipino Elderly

Integrating the constraints of anthropometrics & age-related effects in order to come up with a specific criteria to its respective artefact.
First, the current conditions of a certain item or dimensions are identified which will then be assessed through problem identification. The problem
identification considers the age-related effects and the postural requirements. It is then assessed in order to identify the consequences of the current situation
for the elderly users. After identifying the problem, design solutions are then discussed by creating a design criteria which will aim to mitigate the issues
found in the problem identification. The Principles of Ergonomics (McLeod , 1992) are integrated into the design criteria that was synthesized. The
Principles of ergonomics will be the basis informing postural solutions which will aid the four cardinal constraints in selecting the dimensions and the
limiting user required for the standard. Anthropometry is then integrated in the design in order to determine the dimensions required for a certain standard.

The results of the anthropometric data collection, as compared to the British Anthropometric data provided by Pheasant (Bodyspace: Anthropometry,
ergonomics and the design of work , 2003), is observably unpredictable in terms of the dimensions. Among the anthropometric data of the respondents, there
is no evident relationship or pattern synthesized as the variations are very complex. There are instances when the maximum female dimensions are larger
than those of the males. Some dimensions were also larger than those of the British standards. Therefore, the respondents in this study are not distributed
normally. The probable cause may have been the large difference in number of respondents between the males and the females. The total number of
respondents may not also be enough to achieve normal distribution. And the categorization of the respondents may need to be narrowed down. In general,
since the data are not distributed normally, percentile rankings is cannot be used in predicting the variation of the users. Therefore, it is not advisable to refer
the anthropometric data into percentiles but rather use minimum, average or the maximum only. The data collected cannot determine if the 5% of the users
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are lesser than the dimension under the 5th percentile rank nor 95% are lesser than the dimension under the 95th percentile rank since there are no
relationships visible.

The interpretations of each body dimension are also based solely on the 4 cardinal constraints by Pheasant (Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics
and the design of work , 2003). The ergonomic standards in this research are simply not conceived by adjusting measurements alone. Certain principles are
to be integrated in order to synthesize the standards.

Recommendations
Designers within the field of architecture such as architects, interior designers, landscape architects, planners and etc. should contribute on continuing
the creation of comprehensive guidelines in designing the age-friendly environment as this study only aims to pioneer its creation through the residents,
workplace and public outdoor environments and is not considered to be comprehensive. The theories and principles in anthropometry & ergonomics for the
elderly can be used as the basis of this guidelines. This can further the knowledge of the designers involved in their contribution in designing age-friendly
environments for the elderly population of the Country.

The society should also provide enabling environments for the elderly by integrating them into the society with the purpose of encouraging them to
contribute to the society by their means rather than isolating them especially when opportunities for them to be efficient in tasks in the built-environment is
provided through ergonomics and anthropometrics. Existing guidelines for People with Disability (PWDs), such as the Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or the
Accessibility Law of 1982 should be enhanced by the resumption of creating guidelines for the Elderly in Residential, Workplace and Public Outdoor
environments which will contribute to the course of the Country towards becoming age-friendly as mandated by the World Health Organization.

Those in authority should create programs that address the needs of the elderly such as maintaining their ‘sense of independence’ and enable them to
contribute to the welfare of the community through these programs. Those in authority should also mobilize designers involved in the field of designing the
built environment such as architects, interior designers, planners and etc. in designing the age-friendly environment provided for the elderly population of the
Country. Those in authority can also mobilize the designers involved in enhancing the Accessibility Law of 1982 or by creating a new set of guidelines for
 97

the elderly towards the course of the Country of becoming an age-friendly environment by using this study as a starting point and reference for the
methodologies used and its limitations.

The community should value the designers in the field of architecture such as architects, interior designers, planners and etc. more than the aesthetic
aspects of the built environment as they are imposed of the moral obligations towards a variety of users such as the Filipino elderly. As a way of doing so,
projects must be done by the respective professions accordingly. In other words, architects, interior designers, planners and etc. must be the professions to be
commissioned in designing spaces especially when the elderly is involved as they value the moral obligations of attending to the environmental needs of the
users such as the Filipino elderly.

For the researchers, the following are recommended:

The study delimits the strength of users as there are no appropriate measuring tools available for the Researcher. For a more comprehensive
anthropometric data for the elderly, measurements of strength should be included in the collected anthropometric data of the respondents.

This study uses the method of limiting user in deciding for the dimensions of the artefacts included in the guidelines of this study rather than the
Fitting Trial Test due to the limited means of the researcher. It is recommended that the future researchers should include the Fitting Trial Test in translating
the anthropometric data of the respondents into ergonomic standards.

A study on proxemics should also be included in order for the guidelines conceived by the future researchers to be able to synthesize a
comprehensive usage of spaces that involves the elderly and expand the coverage of the study of designing age-friendly environments.

This study only covers the anthropometric data of the senior citizens of Dumaguete City who are 60 years older and above. It is recommended that
future researchers will expand the coverage of this study by conducting an anthropometric data gathering on a national scale to represent the entire ageing
population of the Country.

This study only uses a 3-meter steel tape as a measuring tool for the 32 body dimensions covered due to the limited means of the Researcher. It is
recommended that the future researchers should secure the appropriate measuring tools in collecting anthropometric data.
 98

It is also recommended that the future researchers will statistically quantify the number of respondents in the anthropometric data of the study to
produce more accurate results.

The dimensions of the guidelines provided should also be re-evaluated in terms of the anthropometric data collected by the future researchers on a
national scale.

A more thorough review of the existing standards of the Country such as the Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or the Accessibility Law of 1982 must be
done by the future researchers and study the anthropometric basis of the existing law.

As observed in this study, there is a great difference in the number of respondents involved in this study due to the non-participation of some
respondents. It is in the theory of the Researcher that the method of collecting anthropometric data from the respondents is tiresome for the elderly. Future
researchers must come up with a more efficient approach in collecting anthropometric data that is easy for the respondents in order to come up with stronger
results.

This study was not able to quantify the number of respondents accurately. Future researchers should quantify the number of target respondents
needed in the anthropometric data collection especially when they propose a study that has a national coverage.

It is also recommended that the future researchers use computer simulation softwares in doing ergonomic design solutions such as Catia V.5 and
Technomatix Jack by Siemens in order to accurately predict realistic design implications of the data gathered in qualitative means.

In the anthropometric data collection of this study, different chairs were used in measuring dimensions in the sitting position depending on the day of
collection. It is recommended that future researchers standardize the chair to be used in measuring dimensions in sitting positions in order to avoid
systematic errors in the anthropometric data collection.

The future researchers are recommended to use the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment Tool (RULA) or any other ergonomic assessment tools in order to
make ergonomic design decisions that are more comprehensive and optimal especially in terms of dimensions that involve Posture constraints.
 99

The future researchers are also recommended to explore and expand the knowledge on cognitive ergonomics such as the way-finding or intuitive
usage of spaces for the elderly.

Future researchers are recommended to expand the knowledge on the age-related effects of ageing and come up with qualitative data in order to
further quantify the ergonomic design decisions synthesized.

Future researchers should also expand the coverage of the artefacts in the guidelines of this paper in terms of the residential, workplace and public
outdoor environments as the guidelines of this study is not comprehensive.

Aside from the residential, workplace and public outdoor environments, future researchers should also expand the guidelines for the elderly by
considering other aspects of the age-friendly environment such as Transportation, Public Utilities etc.
 100

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APPENDIX A
 104

APPENDIX B
 105

APPENDIX C
RAW FILE DATA DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESPONDENTS (FEMALE)
 106

APPENDIX D
RAW FILE DATA DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESPONDENTS (MALE)
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Via, Bien Carlos E.

Date of writing: October 28, 2018

Date and Place of Birth, Nationality, current residentce

Date and Place of birth: Davao city, Davao del Sur, Philippines

Citizenship: Filipino

Current Residence: Blk, 22 L. 1 Bago Gallera de Oro, Davao city, Philippines

Education and Degrees Awarded

Primary Education: Davao Holy Trinity Academy, Davao City

Secondary Education: Davao Central College, Davao City

Previous Extracurricular Involvements

Member, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary – Silliman University Chapter (2012-2017)

Secretary, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary – Silliman University (2014-2015)

Internal Vice President, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary – Silliman University (2015-2016)

Chapter President, United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary – Silliman University (2016-2017)

Lord Chamberlain, The Panhellenic Society, Silliman University (2016-2017)

Lord Chamberlain, The Panhellenic Society, Silliman University (2017-2018)