There is an interesting UN report out there about the demographics shifts in society, it is called: World Population Prospects 2022. In this report the population trends for a century 1950 to 2050 are discussed. Some of the interesting facts are as under:

• The world population hit the 8 billion marks in mid-November 2022.
• China and India accounted for the largest populations, with more than 1.4 billion each in 2022.
• The total fertility rate has fallen below 2 births per women and has been fluctuating in recent years, typically between 1.5 and 2 births per woman.
• Global life expectancy at birth reached 72.8 years in 2019, an improvement of almost 9 years since 1990. The length of life globally is expected to be around 77.2 years in 2050.
• The share of the global population aged 65 years or above is projected to rise from 10 per cent in 2022 to 16 percent in 2050.
• By 2050, the number of persons aged 65 years or over worldwide is projected to be more than twice the number of children under age 5 and about the same as the number of children under age 12.
• Whereas population growth at older ages is driven by lower mortality and increased survival, an upward shift in the population age distribution is caused by a sustained drop in the fertility level.

Based on this report the older population is going to be a significant segment, and we can see the trends in how savvy marketing is more and more geared towards the older population. But one area in the older population which is not really publicized or well explored is mitigation of falls and injuries caused by it. Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 years and older according to the CDC report. Over 14 million, or 1 in 4 older adults report falling every year. These falls are very costly financially as well as how they impact the injured person’s life including the caregivers lives as well. According to CDC each year about $50 billion is spent in USA on medical costs related to older adult falls—fatal injuries total $754 million, and the remainder is attributed to non-fatal fall injuries. A couple of areas where design cum standard improvements related to housing can save lot lives and money while preventing injuries are:

1. Grab bars and accessories installed in the bathing area

Out of all the falls of the older people each year 80% happen in the bathrooms. With wet surfaces, soap suds, smooth slick tile finish, together with hard surfaces in the bathrooms provide a high fall prone environment compared to all others.

Falls can lead to broken bones, joint impaired, fractured hips, head injuries and other long-term negative health effects. So, if improvements are made specifically in the injury prone area, it can prevent a lot of injuries. One of the most crucial safety features in any bathroom and toilet is a grab bar. They help reduce falls and provides confidence along with stability to its users. In showers and bathtubs, they offer support while bathing, and also provide support to get into them and exit from it. In the toilet they can assist in getting up from the seat or sitting down. Many older folks need support in getting up from the toilet seat.

2. Safety specification for clothing storage units as Drawers and file cabinets 

When the drawers are opened, the open drawers along with the weight of the contents shifts the gravity towards the person opening the drawer. This can result in the storage unit overturning, leading to serious injuries. A stability testing procedure is a must for these types of units needs to be included to ensure that the unit in question will not tip over or “be supported only by an opened drawer, opened door, or opened or unopened flap.” This measure can go a long way in preventing accidental injuries.

ASTM standards have taken an initiative to come out with standards on address these. Now, we need to popularize these, so the customers are well aware of them and check that the products conform to those standards. Additionally, the manufacturers need to realize the significance of making products in compliance with the requirements of the standards. When the customers insist on compliance to these standards, the manufacturers will spend the necessary resources during design and approvals for compliance. This will result not just in the quality improvements of these products but will also save a lot of lives. The applicable ASTM standards have been included as under in the references. 

References:

1. UN Report on Population, 
2. CDC Report on Falls
3. Sprinkle, Tim, 4 Standards to Protect an Aging Population. 
4. ASTM F446, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Grab Bars and Accessories Installed in the Bathing Area
5. ASTM F2057, Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units

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