Human Factors Engineering †Geriatrics Essay Example for Free

Human Factors Engineering – Geriatrics Essay Professionals in gerontology and geriatrics estimate that by the middle of the 21st century, more than 60 million of people in the United States will be older than 65. Many of these people will cross the 85-age-line (Schulz, 2007). In this context, old people do not simply live longer, but remain active and productive and strive to preserve their individual independence even in older age. Obviously, these demographic shifts are extremely challenging to society. As long as the process of aging is associated with biological, psychological, physiological, and cognitive changes, older people face a whole set of issues, when trying to preserve stability of their links with the real-world environments. These are often impossible without using technologies. Human factors engineering is expected to make valuable contribution in geriatrics, making aging population less vulnerable to the abovementioned changes, and enhancing the quality of life among older adults. As a multidisciplinary science, human factors engineering is about numerous issues, but in this work special attention will be given to home and work activities (social aspects of human factors engineering), as well as the problems older people may experience with vision and hearing (individual aspects of human factors engineering). To begin with, â€Å"human factors engineering is the study of human beings and their interactions with products, environments, and equipment in the performance of tasks and activities† (Schulz, 2007). It is a multidisciplinary field in that it encompasses the disciplines of psychology, physiology, engineering, biomechanics, and computer science. Regardless of whether in aging, in pediatrics, or in adulthood, human factors engineering seeks to identify specific human capabilities, their limitations associated with age, the impact of these limitations on individuals’ interactions with the real-world environments, and the ways of improving these interactions. When it comes to geriatrics as the science of aging, human factors engineering is to address the four essential aspects, which actually shape an older person’s reality: work, home, transportation, and product design (Schulz, 2007). Some authors also include communication, safety and security, and leisure into the list of critical human factors engineering elements in aging (Czaja, 1990). Certainly, home and home activities present the greatest challenges to older people. Against a common belief, many older people live alone and have to cope (or even to fight) with a whole set of home activities. Apart from living alone, many older people are likely to spend most of their time at home, and many of them will also face a difficulty in performing even simple tasks like bathing, cooking, washing, cleaning, etc. The most common home traumas include falls, burns (e. g. from cooking), and poisoning from gases and vapors (Czaja, 1990). Given that to live alone for older people means to preserve their individuality, and that performing their home tasks without external assistance works to enhance their self-esteem, several technological and social solutions can help older people cope with these challenges. First of all, appropriate home design may substantially reduce the risk of traumas; convenient stairways, better lighting, handrails – all these can successfully remedy human factors issues in geriatrics (Schulz, 2007). Second, when it comes to household chores, a range of in-home services including delivered meals and home health visits can â€Å"extend the ability of the elderly to live independently† (Czaja, 1990). However, older people’s striving to independence is not limited to home activities. Work remains one of the critical factors of social and individual success later in life. Objectively, and in the light of the current demographic trends, businesses are no longer able to design work environments in a way that fits both younger and older workers; â€Å"clearly, most businesses and industries now need to develop strategies to accommodate an aging workforce† (Schulz, 2007). In this context, the two essential individual factors of aging come into place. First, business owners face a challenge of compensating for age-related visual deficits. Second, they are also bound to comply and cope with hearing issues in older workers. These two aspects are fairly regarded as the two most important human engineering factors of aging (Charness Schaie, 2003). It is difficult to deny the fact that the changes in peripheral vision, color perceptions, motion perceptions, as well as anatomical changes in hearing, the loss of frequency and intensity of sound perceptions, as well as distorted sound localization may significantly reduce and even discriminate against the older worker’s desire and ability to work. At the same time, more and more older people remain in the workforce; many of them undertake part-time jobs. Not only does work help older people preserve their individuality and independence, but it also relieves the social and unemployment burden at the state and federal levels (Czaja, 1990). That is why businesses do not have any other choice but to seek effective human factors engineering solutions to cope with the discussed issues. Unfortunately, although the amount of information about aging is affluent, the data on the implications of aging for work is rather scarce. Generally, books on human factors engineering refer to ergonomic considerations (better workplace design, accommodation, and possible use of assistive technologies), equipment redesign, and possible training needs (Schulz, 2007). These, however, do not address such factors of aging in work environments as absenteeism and turnover (Czaja, 1990). As a result, when it comes to work environments, jobs for older people should be designed to help them preserve their productivity and remain a part of the workforce, even when the need to be absent from work arises. For example, the use of computer technologies could help older people take jobs that do not require leaving their homes. When it comes to vision and hearing issues, a range of information processing computer software could be utilized to enhance the quality of older people’s interactions with the real world (Charness Schaie, 2003). In similar ways, technology can be successfully used to help older people train their memory, cognitive skills, and attention. For example, older people can be trained to use computer technologies as a part of their attention and memory improvement strategies. Similar recommendations can also cover the areas of communication, transportation, and leisure. Unfortunately, professional human factors engineering research is only at the initial stage of its evolution, and whether older people are given a chance to participate in the major life activities also depends on how well human factors engineering professionals will perform in terms of empirical and practical research. Also, how well businesses and authorities use and implement recommendations and requirements presented as a result of human factors engineering research will predetermine older’ people success in socialization, work, communication and other life activities. Conclusion Human factors engineering is a multidisciplinary science that studies the ways in which humans interact with different environments. When it comes to geriatrics, human factors engineering is expected to study older people’s work and personal capabilities, their limitations, and the ways of addressing and overcoming them. Given that more and more older people live alone and strive to keep their jobs as a matter of better self-esteem and independence, many of them may face serious challenges associated with inevitable physiological biological, cognitive, and mechanical changes. Although the data regarding possible human factors solutions is rather limited, it is very probable that the nearest decade will give older people broader opportunities for self-realization in various social domains, from work to leisure and communication.

Effective Writing Is Important Essay -- essays research papers

Effective Writing is Important I have become to notice, through my coursework, that writing well is a tool that everyone can benefit from. Good writers will tell of many an occasion in which their talent has earned them advancement; an advancement that comes to play not only in the job market but also for personal gratification. Fortunately, writing is a skill that can be both taught and practiced to a point at which virtual perfection is reached. The many facets of writing can seem quite overwhelming to the novice. The aspect of writing that most people are unaware of is the fact that it is actually broken down into just a few basic principles. Because of the many benefits that proper voice, structure, and thesis development bring to one's writing, these facets of writing are more impo...

Open Source Software Essay

Free and Open Source Software has been around for quite some time. Free software has always been a controversy. This time someone is trying to take a stance against it. More than just someone but a major software company namely Microsoft. The whole issue is coming against software patents. Patents are there to protect the make, use, and selling of an invention but in this case would deal with software. Microsoft is not keen on the idea of software being readily available especially to businesses at little to no cost. In the business world this is unheard of. To let companies take control and create custom software with almost no cost is being attacked. Microsoft is quoted in a CNN Money article: â€Å"Microsoft takes on the free world† as saying, â€Å"We live in a world where we honor, and support the honoring of, intellectual property,† They were quoted as calling this a matter of principle. I can understand principle and I’m definitely not against making money. I believe that enough is enough. Free and Open Source Software is there to benefit the public. In suggesting that business owners need only buy licensed software or that business owners are only obligated to purchase said software is irrational. Putting aside costs, theoretically let’s say there is a software developer that is hired by a company to create custom software. This company favors Linux rather than Windows not to say that Windows isn’t a great operating system but to say that someone does not have the freedom to create is ridiculous. To limit this company because of some alleged patent laws is preposterous. Eben Moglen, longtime counsel to the Free Software Foundation and head of the Software Freedom Law Center, says that, â€Å"software is a mathematical algorithm and, as such, not patentable. † This statement is critical because of the seeming less attack on inventors and software developers. Software has always been improved and with the strict patent laws associated with Microsoft there is no inventing unless it’s specifically for Microsoft. There needs to be a line drawn and some slack given as to what is actually infringing on patents and what is hindering creativity and innovation. There are current lawsuits with Microsoft versus FOSS (Free and Open Source Software). This has been referred to as a cold war. One side saying they will sue if the other continues to produce and the other saying that if you sue we will be forced to sue back. FOSS has always been under attack since it began. Specifically attacked is Linux. In PCWorld: Microsoft Vs. Open Source: Now It’s Political, â€Å"Once you leave the shores of the U. S. the question would be not if but where is Linux being used† in government, said Matthew Szulik, chief executive officer of Linux software maker Red Hat. The industry is in agreement that government use of open-source software particularly is growing amongst popularity. As much as I would like this to mostly be about freedom of invention and creativity the bottom line is that at the end of the day it’s all about money. No one sees the need to be forced to buy ongoing licensing to use software that most believe the costs are becoming unreasonable. Of course the government is not about spending. (Right? ) As quoted in the article Microsoft Vs.  Open Source, â€Å"Price aside, government officials around the world are also looking for ways to increase use of local software and curb the export of IT funds to major U. S. companies. That is the case in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. † Money makes the world go round. The whole fear that Microsoft has is that it will hurt the pockets of Microsoft. â€Å"Windows still powers roughly 9 out of 10 traditional desktops, with the rest going to Mac and Linux. Linux’s failure to capture desktop share is disappointing to many,† Zemlin admitted. But â€Å"the good news is the traditional PC desktop is becoming less important, and areas where Linux is very strong in terms of client computing are becoming more important. † as expressed in an article of Network Wold: Bashing Microsoft ‘like kicking a puppy,’ says Linux Foundation chief. We could argue that Microsoft is just some big heartless corporation that wants to make money. That is true they are and honestly if anyone expected them to respond in any way different was severely delusional. The act does need to be reformed to show exactly that which is crossing the line in creating software and tying the hands of developers. The debate surrounds the open source code that exists and who should have access to this code. From a business perspective giving out that information obviously would be detrimental to the success of the company. While Microsoft is currently the most dominant software in the business world I doubt that business would be ready to just make a leap to Open Source Software. In the technical world not everyone is a computer geek. Microsoft still has the support to help customers. The shift will take a while and to take down a giant such as Microsoft is not impossible but not something that will happen overnight. The large factor in this is the ignorance of other Operating Systems on a general knowledgebase. Companies and governments that choose to use this FOSS should have the choice. A need for a revision of patent rights and software development need attention.

Yoga blogging - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 524 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/08/12 Category Sports Essay Level High school Tags: Yoga Essay Did you like this example? Positive daily yoga and meditation practices have changed my life for the better in many ways. Many years ago as a result of the practices, I shifted to veganism and from a social drinker to consuming no alcohol at all. I realized for me that it is important to be aware of this reality versus alter it. Any substance that alters this reality hinders friendships and relationships versus deepening connections and strengthening bonds. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Yoga blogging" essay for you Create order If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. — William Blake I am working on keeping an open-minded to view all the dimensions and perspectives of life. Beyond dedicated meditation times, I am practicing stilling my mind and being at peace on and off the yoga mat. Sometimes, I only have a few thoughts during class and other times my mind floods with thoughts. Random thoughts and experiences I have had in yoga classes below. Can you yogis can relate? Yoga Class Thoughts and Experiences Breathe. Could they talk any louder before class? How hard can you throw your mat and collection of stuff down on the floor? I am not a victim. Practice non-judgment. Forgot to respond to that email/text. Be in the present moment. Someone forgot to apply deodorant and its the beginning of the class. Dont vomit. Practice non-judgment and non-attachment. Great song/playlist. That song is going to be stuck in my head all day. Did you suggest, We should touch without the teachers direction? Creepy. Practice non-judgment. Breathe. Dont sweat the small stuff. Accept change. Did you say, you make me look bad because my practice is different from yours? We are in this together. It is not a competition. Choose positivity. Those words are inspiring. I have more to learn. Trust your intuition. I need to be friendlier, kinder and support others more. Drishti. Laser-like focus. Breathe. Wow, I have gotten kicked or hit one or more times by one to four flailing out of control people. Remain calm. Chaos to clarity. Have only love in your heart for others. They are glowing. What a beautiful community. We are all connected. We are all one. I love everyone! Am I doing this right? Awkward. Ouch, mat burn. Practice non-attachment. Frak this pose. Attempt again. How long do we have to hold this asana? Cramp. Breathe. ? Could hold this pose all day. That feels good. I have got this. What else do you have? ? How long is this class? What if I die in here? ? Fun times. Wish this class was longer. Amazing! ? This is awesome! I should do this every day. ? Who leaves during Shavasana? Are you crazy? Only several minutes left. Why? Practice non-judgment. Breathe. Let go. Surrender. Lucky to be here and have a healthy body. I am grateful, appreciative, happy, and at peace. Go inward. Joy is our purpose. Boundless, limitless happiness. Bliss. Higher states of consciousness. Downloads. Namaste. It stings a lot when someone squirts you in the eye with mat cleaner. Whats in that mat cleaner? Am I going to go blind? Breathe. The journey continues. See you on that mat. Namaste.