Designing Inclusive Environments in Healthcare with a Focus on Bariatric Patients

Bariatric is the term used to define extreme obesity. Globally a number of people have been dying each year because of being obese or overweight of which India comes at the third number after USA and China which has a large section of obese people. Obesity is one of the major health problems in the world which is rising due to the lifestyle changes. Excessive obesity leads to various diseases and reduced life expectancy. The healthcare facilities hence should keep in mind about these people so that they do not feel overlooked. Bariatric patients face certain difficulties such as mobility and taking care of themselves. Due to their unmanageable weight often they need the help of others which includes accessing the facilities like hygiene, stairs, ramps, furniture, doors etc. The major design consideration involved in the research includes appropriate planning of space, furniture and equipments and patient care and safety while handling these patients. In India a lot of hospitals have been providing bariatric surgeries but still there is a need to follow a new approach give special focus on the spaces, furniture and the proper training given to the staff to handle these people. A new approach needs to be followed and the healthcare professionals and architects need to work together in order to provide better spaces for the bariatric clients too.