Lee Su Jin, Sanford Jon, Calkins Margaret, Melgen Sarah, Endicott Sarah, Phillips Anjanette
1 Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access, College of Design, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
2 The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation, Kirtland, OH, USA.
HERD. 2018 Apr;11(2):32-44. doi: 10.1177/1937586717730338. Epub 2017 Sep 27.
To identify the optimal spatial and dimensional requirements of grab bars that support independent and assisted transfers by older adults and their care providers.
Although research has demonstrated that toilet grab bars based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Standards do not meet the needs of older adults, the specific dimensional requirements for alternative configurations are unknown.
A two-phased study with older adults and care providers in residential facilities was conducted to determine the optimal requirements for grab bars. Seniors and caregivers in skilled nursing facilities performed transfers using a mock-up toilet. In Phase 1, participants evaluated three grab bar configurations to identify optimal characteristics for safety, ease of use, comfort, and helpfulness. These characteristics were then validated for using ability-matched samples in Phase 2.
The optimal configuration derived in Phase 1 included fold-down grab bars on both sides of the toilet (14" from centerline [CL] of toilet, 32" above the floor, and extended a minimum of 6" in front of the toilet) with one side open and a sidewall 24" from CL of toilet on the other. Phase 2 feedback was significantly positive for independent and one-person transfers and somewhat lower, albeit still positive, for two-person transfers.
The study provides substantial evidence that bilateral grab bars are significantly more effective than those that comply with current ADA Accessibility Standards. Findings provide specific spatial and dimensional attributes for grab bar configurations that would be most effective in senior facilities.
确定扶手的最佳空间和尺寸要求，以支持老年人及其护理人员进行独立和辅助转移。
尽管研究表明，基于《美国残疾人法案》（ADA）无障碍标准的马桶扶手不能满足老年人的需求，但替代配置的具体尺寸要求尚不清楚。
对居住设施中的老年人和护理人员进行了一项两阶段研究，以确定扶手的最佳要求。熟练护理设施中的老年人和护理人员使用模拟马桶进行转移。在第一阶段，参与者评估了三种扶手配置，以确定安全性、易用性、舒适性和帮助性的最佳特征。然后在第二阶段使用能力匹配的样本对这些特征进行验证。
第一阶段得出的最佳配置包括马桶两侧的可折叠扶手（距马桶中心线[CL]14英寸，距地面32英寸，在马桶前方至少延伸6英寸），一侧开放，另一侧距马桶CL 24英寸处有侧壁。第二阶段的反馈对于独立和单人转移非常积极，对于两人转移则略低，尽管仍然是积极的。
该研究提供了大量证据，表明双侧扶手比符合当前ADA无障碍标准的扶手明显更有效。研究结果提供了扶手配置的具体空间和尺寸属性，这些属性在老年设施中最为有效。
