Importance of Lighting for Seniors

As people age, their eyesight deteriorates, and by the time you reach retirement age, you most likely will need glasses, if not for everyday activities but for certain things such as reading. The right type of lighting can take on greater importance for a senior citizen.

Poor Visibility

• A senior's eyes are more likely to have trouble seeing in low lighting. As a result, seniors may not be able to fully see furniture or a step in dim light. Having a well-lit home environment for a senior ensures they are more likely to avoid bumping into furniture or tripping. The danger is compounded by the fact a senior's bones are generally weaker, making the result of a fall much more severe.

Sun Bulbs

• Although seniors are said to be in their golden years, not all seniors are living happy lives. In fact, some suffer from depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Winter time can be particularly hard for seniors. The cold and darkness can seem even more isolating for an already lonely senior. Sun lamps or light therapy lamps mimic the properties of the sun's light and provide the benefits that full spectrum light provides. According to Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, having one of these lamps on in the home for a few hours a day can dramatically increase vitality and happiness for seniors suffering with depression or SAD.

Eye Health

• As a person ages, the shape of eye ball changes according to the light it is exposed to. Seniors must do all they can to maintain eyesight. Part of maintaining eyesight means not overworking the eye to see. If a senior does not have enough light, the eye must work harder to get a clear picture. A well-lit environment means the eye can rest and not have to work as hard.

Lighting for Function

• Small lights can be installed in areas where a large lamp would not do and over work areas. The kitchen, office or workshop are ideal places to put small work lamps. Having a light over the sink, counter top, stove or workbench can aid in whatever task the senior is trying to complete. The added light provides safety in the kitchen, especially when using knives or cutting tools.

Enhance Existing Light

• Dr. Margaret P. Calkins says: "Older people require three times the amount of light to see as well as younger people, but are more sensitive to glare." She states that seniors can have difficulty seeing contrasting colors and suggests that objects in the home be of different colors for contrast. For example, have a dark chair and white walls or light floors or use a toilet seat of a different color.