How a Well-Lit House Can Keep Older Adults Safe
As older adults choose to age in place, it’s become integral to ensure that they can do so safely. Apart from making changes to the home to make it more accessible and comfortable, updating the lighting can also be important to protect you from falling while in your home.
Why You Need Better Lighting
According to Bellacor, as people age, their pupils become smaller and less responsive to changes in light. As an older adult, you may lose your ability to see colors like green and blue as well as you used to. Older adults may also have to deal with eye disorders such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. To compensate for these changes, it’s recommended that you adjust or upgrade the lighting in your house so that it’s layered. To start with, look at your ambient light, which can be provided by natural light or selected lighting throughout the house. Adding task and accent lighting will make it easier for you to work around the house.
Your Lighting Options
There are lots to consider when choosing the right bulbs for your home. While there are several bulb options, an LED one is usually your best bet. They are able to provide great lighting with a low impact on your energy bill. When choosing a bulb, you should pay attention to how much energy it uses (watts) as well as how much light it produces (lumens). This will ensure you’re using the right LED bulb for each room and you should never exceed the recommended maximum of your lamp fixture. If you’re not sure what LED lighting works well for each room, then Earth LED provides an excellent guide. While your bedroom should only have a maximum of 4,000 lumens, your dining room can go up to 6,000. Your kitchen enjoys a higher lighting maximum of 8,000 lumens. Smart lighting is also a great option as it allows you to control your home’s lighting from a smartphone so you’re fumbling with light switches in the dark.
Keep An Eye on the Kitchen
You’ll have noticed that your kitchen needs a lot of light and there are a few things you should take into consideration. When choosing your lights, stay away from shaded bulbs but don’t use naked lights, as they can cause a glare. You’ll still want to practice layering, so be sure you have tasks lighting at the counters. According to Family Handyman, you can make these changes to your kitchen at a moderate cost if you pick their locations well. For example, under-cabinet lighting should be installed toward the front of the cabinet to provide maximum lighting. You can also have a valance put in so the lights don’t shine directly in your eyes.
Bathroom and Living Area Needs
When it comes to your living room, it’s best to improve the overall ambient lighting even if you need additional task lighting. Whether you choose from ceiling lights, floor lights or table lamps, the aim is to ensure your living area is fully functional. If you have stairs, then make sure you get an electrician to install bright lights at the top and bottom of the stairs. This will allow you to safely transition from one well-lit room to the other without losing illumination. Your bathroom also needs great lighting, but it might not be as straightforward as your living room. You should do your best to make use of natural lighting and install lighting at important spots such as the shower and vanity. Make sure to consider a dimmer so the bright lighting isn’t jarring when you enter during the night or first thing in the morning.
As an older adult, you need a well-lit home to age in place safely. Make sure you find out what your home needs and make the updates as soon as possible. It’s best to have the lighting in place well before you have an accident.
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