Comments on: ‘Playgrounds’ for Older People http://www.gearability.com/2007/07/24/playgrounds-for-older-people/ Life with limitations and the gear that makes things work Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:31:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Marty http://www.gearability.com/2007/07/24/playgrounds-for-older-people/#comment-4232 Marty Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:37:18 +0000 http://www.gearability.com/2007/07/24/playgrounds-for-older-people/#comment-4232 Melissa, thank you for your thoughts. Oddly, when I saw the notification of your comment in my mailbox, I was thinking about the whole idea of child-like recreation for older people. I recognize that, for many people, such activities and designs are a joyful way to re-live (or remember) a joyous time in life, or to feel a sense of imagined child-like freedom. But I agree with you that not all older people feel this way, and calling these areas "playgrounds" is perhaps not the best choice. As you read above, there are many people who agree with you, and dislike the infantilization the name implies. As far as age restriction goes, I appreciate that some age cut-off is necessary, and I suppose that making it 70 was meant to exclude those truly athletic (and perhaps intimidating) 60-somethings. I'd like to think that this restriction isn't very rigidly enforced, though. I agree with your comment regarding the size restriction, too. I suspect the restriction exists because the equipment is designed for the majority population, and, for safety reasons, not recommended for use by people larger or smaller than the accomodated sizes. It's likely that the expense of making size-specific equipment was considered too much -- that's how these things usually go. But yes, I do agree with you, and think a truly inclusive plan would be better. Melissa, thank you for your thoughts. Oddly, when I saw the notification of your comment in my mailbox, I was thinking about the whole idea of child-like recreation for older people. I recognize that, for many people, such activities and designs are a joyful way to re-live (or remember) a joyous time in life, or to feel a sense of imagined child-like freedom.

But I agree with you that not all older people feel this way, and calling these areas “playgrounds” is perhaps not the best choice. As you read above, there are many people who agree with you, and dislike the infantilization the name implies.

As far as age restriction goes, I appreciate that some age cut-off is necessary, and I suppose that making it 70 was meant to exclude those truly athletic (and perhaps intimidating) 60-somethings. I’d like to think that this restriction isn’t very rigidly enforced, though.

I agree with your comment regarding the size restriction, too. I suspect the restriction exists because the equipment is designed for the majority population, and, for safety reasons, not recommended for use by people larger or smaller than the accomodated sizes. It’s likely that the expense of making size-specific equipment was considered too much — that’s how these things usually go. But yes, I do agree with you, and think a truly inclusive plan would be better.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.gearability.com/2007/07/24/playgrounds-for-older-people/#comment-4230 Melissa Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:36:58 +0000 http://www.gearability.com/2007/07/24/playgrounds-for-older-people/#comment-4230 I personally think that helping the elderly and disabled to gain exercise is a wonderful idea. However, treating the elderly like children isn't, I feel that this could have been done in a different way. i.e., not the same as a child's play area. the other thing I don't think they have thought of is that the park is restricted to adults over 70 and over 5ft. due to these restrictions it appears that both of my grandmas would be ruled out since one is under 70 (65) and my other grandma although she is over 70 she is under 5ft as she is a primordial dwarf. In addition to this I feel that is my grandma who is under 70 that is the one that needs to be more active and would benefit from it more. In my opinion the park should only be restricted to elderly, without a height or age limit restriction What do you think I personally think that helping the elderly and disabled to gain exercise is a wonderful idea. However, treating the elderly like children isn’t, I feel that this could have been done in a different way. i.e., not the same as a child’s play area. the other thing I don’t think they have thought of is that the park is restricted to adults over 70 and over 5ft. due to these restrictions it appears that both of my grandmas would be ruled out since one is under 70 (65) and my other grandma although she is over 70 she is under 5ft as she is a primordial dwarf. In addition to this I feel that is my grandma who is under 70 that is the one that needs to be more active and would benefit from it more.

In my opinion the park should only be restricted to elderly, without a height or age limit restriction

What do you think

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