Two surveys were conducted to make clear the actual situation of the aged persons who live as an extended family, and those who live in special housing for the aged. Only 2 per cent of the subjects are wheelchair users or persons who spend most of the time lying down. As they grow older, however, their physical capability deteriorates, and about a half of those aged 85 and over need assistive devices. The subjective evaluation of the design features in dwellings varied between aged and non-aged persons in such aspects of step and level differences as in entrances and at doors. The aged persons are experiencing a lot of troubles in those places while the non-aged do not seem to notice them as problematic.
Stairs are an exception because the aged persons normally give up climbing up and down.
The aged persons seem to express their wishes for improvement of design only when their physical capability deteriorates and some supportive devices are needed. In contrast, the accident incidence clearly indicates that the aged suffer from falls on the level even before they need some devices. Those who can walk without any assistive devices have a much higher incidence of accidents than non-aged subjects. These findings seem to suggest that design considerations for the aged have to give priority to safety rather than to usability. Survey of aged persons living in special housing for the aged The second survey was conducted on those residents of special housing which is called 'Silver-housing'.