Since aging frequently causes vision issues, having adequate lighting in the house is more important than ever. Good lighting is important for seniors’ safety as well as comfort. Adequate lighting can also reduce eye strain, help with mobility, and prevent falls. However, it’s not always easy to know how much lighting is enough. The good news is that home care services can assist with this, monitoring how lighting impacts seniors throughout the day and offering suggestions for improvements.
Evaluating Current Lighting
With loved ones and home care working side by side, they can assess the current lighting in the home to understand how it may impact seniors. For instance, could safety be increased on the stairs with additional lighting? What about the hallway from the bathroom to the senior’s bedroom at night? This assessment may need to be made over some time to fully understand the home’s lighting needs.
A good rule of thumb when assessing lighting needs is that rooms such as the kitchen or areas where seniors spend their time doing activities should have at least 150 to 225 lumens. Lumens are a unit of measurement that explores how much visible light a light source puts off according to the human eye.
Essentially, if the lumen is higher, the light is brighter.
Along with light, it’s essential to look at glare from nearby windows or light fixtures and shadows. Home care and loved ones can find places where seniors might have trouble seeing due to things and create an improvement plan.
Select the Appropriate Lighting
Not all lighting is created equal. Different lighting types have different functions. By understanding this and combining certain types, it’s possible to increase safety for seniors.
A few of the common types of lighting are addressed below:
Ambient Lighting: Ambient lighting offers general lighting throughout a space. Examples include recessed lighting and other fixtures like ceiling-mounted lights. In newer homes, many rooms do not have overhead lighting, so finding ways to add ambient lighting is key.
Task Lighting: Task lighting is directed at certain areas, like where seniors read or cook. Examples include adjustable reading lights, under-cabinet lights, and desk lamps. To reduce eye strain, task lighting should be positioned where tasks are performed.
Accent Lighting: Although accent lighting is mostly decorative, it can improve safety and visibility by drawing attention to hazards, stairs, and other areas that might cause issues. For instance, loved ones might add a strip of LED lights at the top and bottom of stairs.
Consider Smart and Adjustable Lighting: When assessing where lighting needs to be added, it can be a good idea to incorporate smart or adjustable lighting.
Here are some to consider:
Dimmer Switches: Dimmer switches allow seniors to change the brightness to suit their needs, which is particularly helpful for lowering eye strain and glare.
Motion-Activated Lighting: By adding motion lighting to stairwells, bathrooms, and hallways, the risk of slips and falls is reduced.
Voice-Activated Lights: Voice-activated lighting is a handy way to manage lighting without having to reach switches, especially for seniors with restricted mobility.
Seniors’ homes need proper lighting to ensure safety and improve their quality of life. A well-lit environment that lowers risks and meets their needs can be created when home care and loved ones work together.
Sources: https://www.lampsusa.com/blogs/buyers-guides/14251557-25-lighting-tips-for-seniors
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6526775/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-does-well-lit-enhance-seniors-quality-life-melanie-bacelisco/
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Medina TN, please contact the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (731) 300-2300
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Jackson, Humboldt, Medina, Milan, Trenton, Brownsville, Madison County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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