Journal of the Korean Housing Association ISSN:2234-3571(Print) 2234-2257(Online) 한국주거학회논문집

The purposes of this study are to analyze the problems of the elderly using kitchens by ergonomic work evaluation methods, and to make suggestions for planning and remodeling of the kitchens for the elderly. The work evaluation methods which used in this study were direct-observing methods, which contained the process of 2 or 3 times each visiting to four different houses where elderly people live. For direct-observing methods, analyzing with movement observations and observation methods with photos and videos were used. Characteristics of subject elderly people and problems of their kitchens were analyzed by static measurements, interviews, pictures, and videos. The data, which are recorded movements of the preparing meal of the elderly were analyzed by playing it back repeatedly. As results, physical characteristics of the elderly was the most important consideration; a participant with the arthritical knee was limping at the kitchen entrance due to the difference of the floor level, and a user with a bent back was working on the floor or place an elbow on the worktable to support her body. Those results made a conclusion about the common problems of the kitchens, and suggested the check list which has to be considered when designing the elderly using kitchen.