Human Factors in Home Modifications

Home modifications are intended to adapt your living environment to increase safety and promote independence.

Home modifications can enhance comfort and facilitate social interaction outside the home. The bed is often overlooked although it is a leading cause of fall death.

Something simple like sitting at the edge of bed can be a fall risk. The ability to rest on a grab bar can help prevent a fall or help give you balance prior to walking.

Human factors should be considered whenever you are considering home modifications to ensure demands on the user are reduced.

Human factors in product design should play a role in any home modification. Often assistive technology devices (medical devices) do not meet the needs of older consumers or people with disabilities due to poor product design. Below will give you an idea of how products place demands on the user and influence safety.