Developing Architectural Lighting Designs to Improve Sleep in Older Adults

Abstract

This paper discusses a proposed 24-hr lighting scheme for older adults that can positively impact the aging visual, circadian and perceptual systems. New lighting was installed in eight private rooms in an assisted living facility. Measurements of residents' sleep quality and circadian rest-activity patterns were obtained, before and after the new lighting was installed. Consistent with predictions based upon previous research, the subjects who completed the study showed an improvement in sleep quality and rest/activity rhythms under the new 24-hr lighting scheme. In addition, all study participants reported a strong preference for the 24-hr lighting. The new lighting not only provides older adults with good lighting for performing their routine visual tasks, but also promotes high circadian light stimulation during the day and low circadian light stimulation at night. Although not studied here, but also discussed as part of the 24-hr lighting scheme, is the impact of a previously studied, novel night-light system that provides older adults with enhanced perceptual cues for nighttime navigation within the room. The new 24-hr lighting scheme appears to have important practical implications for improving the quality of life for seniors and will hopefully be adopted by architects, lighting specifiers and engineers.

Vision, light and aging: A literature overview on older-age workers

“…Increased luminance was needed to specific visual tasks such as reading and to distinguish the color of clothes while intense daylight exposure outdoors or through windows was perceived as distracting and often a cause of intense glare. Similar finding have also been reported elsewhere [23].…”

“…In particular, inability to orient oneself in relation to the environment increases with age. This neural weakness is reinforced by optical changes in the eye (decreased retinal illumination and visual acuity), and in combination these contribute significantly to the increased incidence of falls among the elderly [23]. Since falls are relatively common occurrences in old age, the increased risk among workers over 65 years is an important consideration in order to create a safer work environment.…”

“…due to pain caused by arthritis in knees or hips, and this may reduce their likelihood of going outdoors during lunch or at other occasions, and hence lessen their exposure to intense daylight. A simultaneous lack of daylight at work might contribute to the sleep disorders in elderly, sometimes described as tiredness during the day and insomnia at night [23].…”

Impact of the Physical Environment of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities (RHCSF) on Staff and Residents

“…However, residents overwhelmingly preferred the new lighting condition and felt they could read better under this condition in comparison with the old lighting condition (Figueiro et al, 2008). This study is significant because it offers concrete lighting design solutions that can be incorporated within new or existing environments.…”

A Personal Light-Treatment Device for Improving Sleep Quality in the Elderly: Dynamics of Nocturnal Melatonin Suppression at Two Exposure Levels

“…Often circadian timing is misaligned with homeostatic drive, leading to poor or fragmented sleep. Light has been used to align circadian timing with the homeostatic process and thereby help regulate and consolidate sleep in both AD and older, non-demented individuals (Figueiro et al, 2008). A personal light-treatment device that could provide the proper dosage at the right time could, therefore, offer a non-pharmacological method of improving sleep quality in older individuals.…”