The Connection

The reviews that we got from a few elderly people to whom we explained the project and tried to explain the design are satisfying.

Translation for the same:

Q: What do you think about the design of handle bar?

A: Design is very beautiful. It looks very nice.

Q: How this handle bar will help you ?

A: It is very useful in bathroom for Old people like me while sitting down in the bathroom also it reduce the risk of slipping.

Q: Which one do you think is more useful? Parmanent grab bar or portable one?

A: As we are living in rent house, thus portable one will be very helpful for me as I can take it to anywhere.

Q: What do you think about the led bulb attached in the handle bar?

A: It is very useful as it will indicate danger by lighting red light.

Q: Would you be worried while using this handle bar?

A: Over the time, it will get loose. Also in future, my eyesight will get reduced so it will become difficult to see the colors and differentiate it.

Q: What do you suggest?

A: We will have to buy at least 2 bars to use in the bathroom and an indicator to check if it can withstand my weight will be helpfull. It is normal that we will have less trust on the product as it's not permanently fixed.

Q: What are your thoughts about this product?

A: It is actually very useful. And I will suggest old people to use this product.

Some Happy Users

The concerns that we got from the interviews are summarized below.

Concerns:

1. Can’t be used on porous and uneven surfaces.

2. Not trustable, though it can withstand their weight but since it's detachable, not parmanent, thus elderly have fear in their mind.

3. Life of suction cup. It will get loosen over time, thus need for refitting.

Improvements Suggested:

1. To have a check on the handle which tells the strength of its attachment.

2. Should not have any sharp edges.

3. Give them some other aesthetic or an indicator indicating it can withstand the user's weight, thus making the grab bar trustable.

Based on the reviews we got in the connection step, we have decided to attach a digital mechanical gauge, which would show how much maximum force it can withstand and how much force a user is putting on it. Weekly check of the gauge would be recommended to the users so that if its get loosen over time, they'll give it to a repair shop for refitting.

Also, the handle for holding would be changed for better grip. It would be a rubber handle on the cylindrical part of the handle.