Travelling Distance for Evacuee in Multi-Storey Residential Building

The study on evacuation safety often an emphasis on the total evacuation time where only few research consider the distance and path needed for evacuee to evacuate the building. Thus, this study focuses on the maximum and average travelling distance need for the elderly and other evacuees in the multi-storey residential building. Pathfinder software is used in this study, and 162 simulations were tested. Results show that the escape route design and staircase condition plays a significant contribution towards occupant travel distance. Other factors such as occupancies and elderly resident also contribute to the increase in travelling distance. Keywords: Multi-Storey, Escape Route Design, Evacuation eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI3.2549

Strength and ability to implement the activities of daily living in elderly resident in rural areas

Objective: To examine the association between muscle strength and the ability to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living in elderly resident in rural areas of Jequie, Brazil. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional design study with a population of 104 individuals aged sixty or older, registered in the Family Health Unit of the district of Itajuru, Jequie-Brazil. Data collection was performed using a standardized instrument used as an interview, followed by the application of tests (bending arm with dumbbell and rising from a chair 30 sec). The basic and instrumental activities of daily living were investigated through the Katz and Lawton scales, respectively. The chi-square test with p ≤0.05 was used as a measure of statistical significance for bivariate analyzes between muscle strength and ability to perform daily activities. Results: The results showed a significant association between muscle strength and dynamic ability to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: Reduced muscle strength is an important predictor of the functional ability of the elderly. Accordingly, it is recommended to observe muscle strength in actions directed at the elderly.

„Walliser off Gultüre“. Die Wanderungsbewegung der Walser und Galtür

This bachelor thesis focusses on the history of the Walser migration in general and the settlement of Galtür in particular, looking at the reasons why the Walser people left their homeland and at the conditions under which they established new settlements. In addition this paper tries to find out whether traces of the Walser people and their culture still exist, particularly on the example of Galtür. Does a commemorative culture in the centres of the Walser migration and settlement exist in today’s Galtür? Do people there identify themselves as Walsers? The research to answer these questions is based on literature, online newspaper databases and empirical data gathered from an interview with an elderly resident of Galtür.

Differences between the profiles of institutionalized elderly people and those on waiting lists and who do not want to be institutionalized

Objective To identify the demographic, environmental, economic, functional, and health characteristics and the lifestyle habits of elderly persons considering their degree of institutionalization. Method A cross-sectional observational study was carried out of individuals in long-term care institutions for the elderly (resident group) in João Pessoa in the state of Paraíba, those on the waiting list (waiting list group) for such institutions, and those who did not demonstrate interest in being institutionalized (non-waiting list group). Fifty elderly persons per group were interviewed, paired by sex, age and education level. Results The non-waiting list group had a higher proportion of married individuals (p<0.0001), mean number of children (p=0.0068), number of homeowners (p=0.0060) and less difficulty going out, with a higher frequency of activities. The waiting list group presented a higher proportion of individuals living alone (p=0.0089), and a lower frequency and more difficulty going out. There was no significant difference in the functional capacity of the three groups (p=0.2019). Conclusion There were differences among the three groups; however, the waiting list group had much more similar characteristics to the resident group than the non-waiting list group. Elderly persons on waiting lists to be institutionalized represent a neglected social group both in terms of research and public policies.

An Investigation on Network Relationship of Elderly Nursing Home

All developed countries have been facing the trend of aging population and view it as an importance social policy which has to plan care and nurse senior citizens. The elderly caring and nursing organizations are obligated to provide more comfortable and suitable environment for a high quality life of elders. Based upon Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, there is a hierarchy of five needs within each individual, including physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love Needs, self-esteem needs and self-actualization needs. Individuals would acquire emotional support, materiality and service through social network. This study investigates two main issues related to network relationship of elderly nursing home. First, this study demonstrates the network relationship between elderly nursing home and other related groups, including family and friends of elderly resident, exclusive volunteers, neighborhood community centre, religion groups and other welfare associations. Second, this study investigates what the network relationships would influence the satisfaction of five elderly residents’ needs. To better understanding the real connection among groups related to nursing home, this study uses case study with the perceptions of social network to know the network relationship in the nursing home and what it influences their residents’ needs.