This causes the person’s environment to become more and more confusing. Dementia is a progressive disease that causes the decline of mental abilities accompanied by changes in personality. Some studies have shown that proper lighting can have positive impacts on residents with dementia. Circadian Rhythm and Psychiatric WellnessĬircadian rhythm plays a significant role in senior care lighting. With improper lighting, shadows and glares can be created, also negatively impacting visual performance. Poor visual performance can lead to falls and accidents, which could have a more serious impact on their long-term health. In order for them to do this, they need proper light levels around the facility to increase their visual performance. They want to move through the hallways without assistance, and go about their day independently. Residents in senior care facilities need to feel independent in doing their everyday tasks. Visual performance and safety can go hand-in-hand. By layering lighting in common areas where they partake in these activities, they are provided with optimal lighting. They need to be able to see to enjoy whatever activity they are doing. When it comes to task visibility, seniors like to stay busy with reading, crafting and other activities that require a certain amount of light. Lighting can impact the mood, health and wellbeing of residents in senior care facilities. In addition to these effects, there are also age-related eye diseases: cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa. Another reason is because the number of rods in the eye can decrease as we age, making it more difficult to see in low light. This is one reason why the older population requires higher light levels. Because of the weakening muscles and decreased size of the pupil, less light is able to enter the eye. Muscles that control the pupil weaken, making it more difficult to adapt from bright to dark spaces, and vice versa.

What happens when the eye ages? The lens starts to lose elasticity causing blurred vision and difficulty focusing, and they can also yellow, impacting color perception and decreased recognition of blue hues. Changes to VisionĪccording to the Vision Council, 1 in 28 Americans aged 40 and over already have low vision (20/70 acuity or worse after correction ) This will only continue to increase over the next 20 years as 10,000 baby boomers turn 65-years-old each day.

With this growing population and number of people with visual impairments, the need for senior care facilities installed with proper lighting is vital. There is an estimated 285 million people worldwide with a visual impairment, with 15 million in the United States alone. This high fertility rate is a result of reduced death rates, significant reductions of infectious and parasitic diseases, reductions in infant mortality and improved nutrition.Īs we grow older, visual impairments are inevitable. So, why is this happening? Many researchers believe this is due to the high fertility after World War II. For the first time in human history, there are more 60 and over people than children aged 0-14. It is projected that in 2050, the 60 and over population will increase to 22 percent. In 2006, 11 percent of the global population was 60 and over.

Motion sensor light bulb health issues