Elevator Failures in Housing for the Elderly Essay Example for Free

Elevator Failures in Housing for the Elderly Essay The advent of multi-stored housing apartments that can be of up to 30 stores imply that any one who has a problem standing or being in elevators for a long time may be forced to seek alternatives which in most cases are non existent. However, the use of elevators should not have been a worry if only they were well functioning and regularly serviced (Fernandez 2008). According to residents, taking a lift is a risk in that they are prone to breakdowns and in most cases it is only one of the up to four lifts that is functional (Fernandez 2008). Some buildings have elevators that breakdown so often that one would rather do without them. The elderly due to their reduced performance are worst affected by the problem; most of them have health problems that do not allow for strenuous activities like walking up storied building (Fernandez 2008). According to a resident at Kingsborough apartment, the problem is compounded by the slowness with which mechanics respond in cases of emergencies (Fernandez 2008). Mechanics take up to nine hours to respond to cases of emergency regarding elevators. Some residents have lost their limbs in efforts to escape from jammed lifts while the loss of time that elevator complications lead to cannot be quantified (Fernandez 2008). Others have lost their lives trying to escape the confines of jammed elevators. Though residences fail elevator inspection test, nothing is being done about the failures; the death of an 89 year old woman which is partly blamed on elevator failure has not even raised concern on the issue (Fernandez 2008). Being stuck in elevators for up to 20 minutes an hour is common and most folks casually chat about it (Fernandez 2008). 151 elevators failures were recorded by Kingsborough extensions in 2007-2008; a record breaking figure for a housing development for the elderly (Fernandez 2008).