LED Lighting in Senior Care Facilities
Lighting in Senior Care Facilities such as long-term care centers, nursing homes, and assisted living centers have to be planned with care and a well-rounded understanding of the specific illumination needs of the elderly. As we age, many people experience degenerative eye issues and sometimes deal with touch-and-go mental health problems that can be either helped or exacerbated by interior lighting.
Senior care facilities should have the proper lighting that ensures residents feel safe and comfortable in every private room, communal space, and hallway, and LEDs from EarthTronics can help with that.
Lighting Challenges with the Elderly Population
Poor lighting has a tendency to cause the aging eye to perceive false shadows and glares as potential obstacles. This causes space disorientation, falls, and accidents. Often, the uncertainty surrounding an elderly person’s mobility limits their independence prematurely, causing unnecessary fear and anxiety when trying to get around on their own. When people are no longer able to carry out daily tasks independently, a sense of agitation or depression can set in, furthering worsening the situation.
Furthermore, age related diseases such as Seasonal Affective Disorder and dementia can be negatively or positively impacted by lighting. When a facility is not properly illuminated with the optimal color temperature, or is too dim or too bright, the symptoms surrounding these conditions can be aggravated.
How LEDS Help
LEDs have gained popularity in commercial and institutional buildings for a number of reasons, with one of the most powerful being the continual energy and cost savings they bring. But that aside, LED lighting can also help promote a safe and healthy senior care facility in the following ways.
- Reduces glare. As people age, eyes become more sensitive to glare, but also require better lighting to see properly. LEDs provide the brightness senior care facilities need, but without the glare and resulting disorientation. Read more about how LEDs reduce glare
- Promotes healthy sleep patterns. Those living in senior care centers often lack the mobility needed to go outside and enjoy the benefits of natural sunlight–one of them being a healthy night’s sleep. If they are under harsh incandescent or fluorescent lighting all day, bedtime can be a serious struggle. LEDs provide the best alternative to natural light, helping seniors maintain a strong circadian rhythm and sleep pattern. Check out our color tunable panels here, which can be changed ranging from a warm color to a cool color.
- Increases happiness. It’s weird to think that the right kind of lighting can impact a person’s mood, but it can! LEDs can provide the right level of illumination, eliminating glare and shadow, and promoting healthy sleep patterns. A well-rested person who feels confident moving through the facility independently is more likely to take part in social programs, make friends, and live a quality life.
Whether you’re in the middle of a new build or renovations, keep LEDs from EarthTronics in mind. Integrating them into your overall lighting design can have a positive impact on well-being, health and capability of your residents. Jump online to look at our latest bulbs and fixtures, or contact a representative today to learn more.