| Seeing the Light: Why Lighting Is Important for | | | | means seniors won't have to change the bulbs as |
| Senior Citizens | | | | much. Fluorescent light bulbs do contain mercury |
| As people age, they consider home | | | | however, so it's important to dispose of them |
| improvements that will make their living spaces | | | | properly. |
| both safer and more enjoyable. Some senior | | | | Turning Light Bulbs On and Off with Ease |
| citizens choose to downgrade to a smaller and | | | | Light bulbs and fixtures aren't the only important |
| easy-to-manage home, while others improve the | | | | factors to consider; seniors must also think about |
| safety of their current household by making sure | | | | how their light bulbs will be turned on and off. If |
| railings are tightly installed, rugs are put on slippery | | | | possible, make sure that all light bulbs can be |
| floors and stairs are covered in soft carpet. One | | | | turned on using a light switch so that the room is |
| factor that is often overlooked is the lighting | | | | well lit upon entering or exiting. As an added |
| throughout the home. While it may seem simple, | | | | benefit, choose to install dimmers onto light |
| lighting is one of the most important features of | | | | switches so that the intensity of the light can be |
| the home, especially as people get older. | | | | altered using the switch. |
| According to SeniorJournal.com, senior citizens | | | | Other great options are rocker switches, which |
| need three times the amount of light than | | | | are larger than standard switches and can be |
| younger people do in order to see clearly. This is | | | | turned on and off using an arm, elbow or even a |
| because the lenses on the eye thicken and the | | | | cane. If there are rooms where the lights are not |
| pupils shrink, causing the eyes to react slower to | | | | hooked up to a light switch, clap-on lights should |
| lighting conditions. Senior citizens with dementia | | | | be considered. These friendly alternatives make it |
| also suffer from additional eye impairment | | | | easy for seniors to gently clap their hands in |
| because they have a difficulty in distinguishing | | | | order to activate light bulbs. |
| objects from their backgrounds. | | | | How to Safely Change a Light Bulb |
| Not only is lighting necessary for senior citizens | | | | Providing a senior citizen's home with enough light |
| because of the effects of aging, but they also | | | | is not only essential for safety, but it also allows |
| need adequate lighting for safety. Senior citizens | | | | seniors more independence and confidence. Best |
| are at an increased risk for slips and falls, so it's | | | | of all, once proper lighting is installed, seniors can |
| important that they can see clearly throughout | | | | maintain their light bulbs and fixtures themselves. |
| the home. | | | | To change a light bulb is simple and requires no |
| Where Should Seniors Have Lighting? | | | | tools, as long as the bulb is in a lamp or fixture |
| It's essential that every room has adequate | | | | that does not contain a glass reflector. If a glass |
| lighting for both safety and comfort, but there | | | | reflector is present, a small screwdriver can be |
| are certain areas that require careful attention. | | | | used to loosen the screws and remove the bulb. |
| Make sure that stairways and walkways have | | | | 1. Turn off the electricity and let the bulb cool for |
| enough lighting, as these are some of the most | | | | 5 minutes. |
| common places for slips and falls. Ideally, seniors | | | | 2. Hold the base of the bulb firmly with one hand, |
| should have a light switch at both the top and | | | | while turning it counterclockwise until it is released |
| bottom of the stairs so that they can switch the | | | | from the socket. |
| lights on and off without being stuck in the dark. | | | | 3. Insert the new light bulb into the socket, |
| The lights should point toward the stairs so that | | | | making sure it fits snug. |
| each step is well lit. | | | | 4. Turn the light bulb in a clockwise direction until is |
| The kitchen is another room that needs adequate | | | | locked in. |
| lighting, as this is where seniors prepare all of their | | | | 5. Switch the electricity to "on" and make sure |
| meals and handle appliances. Seniors must be able | | | | that the bulb is working properly. |
| to read the labels on food items, buttons on | | | | What to Look for When Choosing Light Fixtures |
| appliances and also be able to handle cutting and | | | | There may not be much that seniors can do |
| chopping confidently. To increase lighting, consider | | | | about existing lighting, but if updating fixtures or |
| installing lights underneath cabinets. Other good | | | | purchasing a new home, there are certain light |
| choices include low-hanging lights to go over a | | | | fixtures to consider. Look for ceiling fixtures that |
| breakfast bar or recessed lighting in all corners of | | | | do not contain globes around them. These need |
| the kitchen. | | | | to be removed and cleaned often in order to |
| Another room that deserves attention is the | | | | maintain their look and proper lighting. Not to |
| family room or den, where reading, watching | | | | mention, in order to reach these fixtures, seniors |
| television and relaxing is done. There is no need | | | | will need a ladder or step stool, which only |
| for seniors to strain their eyes when engaging in | | | | increases the risk of slips and falls. |
| their hobbies, so choose lighting that will | | | | Floor lamps make great lighting options since they |
| complement activities. For example, floor lamps | | | | are easy to maintain. Light bulbs can simply be |
| that have 3-way bulbs are ideal, since each bulb | | | | swapped out and a cloth or paper towel can be |
| can be positioned differently, providing light from a | | | | used to wipe down the bulbs and fixtures. Best of |
| variety of angles. | | | | all, floors lamps are inexpensive, can be matched |
| Nightlights are also important to have throughout | | | | to any décor and can be moved throughout |
| the home, especially because seniors find | | | | the home. |
| themselves getting up during the night to use the | | | | Wall sconces are other great alternatives to ceiling |
| washroom. Consider the areas that are dark and | | | | lighting, especially in stairwells and bathrooms. Wall |
| often traveled through during the late hours, such | | | | sconces make it easy to change out light bulbs |
| as hallways, stairs and bedrooms. Nightlights are | | | | and most models have openings on both the top |
| easy to place in both high and low outlets to | | | | and bottom. Sconces are easy to clean, have |
| provide sufficient lighting, at least until a senior can | | | | decorative appeal and provide ample lighting, |
| reach the light switch. | | | | especially is awkward places and corners. |
| What Types of Light Bulbs are Best for Seniors? | | | | Proper lighting is vital for the safety and |
| The standard and most basic type of light bulb is | | | | independence of senior citizens. Fortunately, senior |
| an incandescent bulb. What makes an | | | | centers and retirement homes have improved |
| incandescent bulb a great option for seniors is | | | | their standards in regards to lighting, but it's |
| that it is easy to change, easy to keep clean and | | | | important that the homes of seniors are not |
| fits in standard lamps and fixtures. Because | | | | ignored. Take the time to consider new and |
| incandescent bulbs contain no mercury or lead, | | | | updated light bulbs and fixtures, as well as |
| they can be disposed of or recycled with the | | | | increasing the wattage where applicable. Ultimately, |
| regular trash. | | | | seniors will find their homes more enjoyable and |
| Fluorescent light bulbs are another great option | | | | comfortable with these minor home |
| for seniors because they are efficient, produce | | | | improvements. |
| little heat and last up to 20,000 hours. A longer life | | | | |