Get the Elderly Out of the Shadows

In an effort to save money and the environment, my co-op board is looking at options for hallway lighting that will be cost effective and green.  Apparently the newest great thing is the LED bulb.  Although the bulb is very expensive (1 bulb costs $50), it has no mercury so it’s very environmentally friendly and 5.6 watts gives the equivalent of 16.8 watts and lasts 5 to 6 years. This is all great.  These light bulbs will ultimately save a gazillian dollars and help save the environment.  However, you have to consider the trade-off.  For our test, we only put the bulbs in 1 ceiling fixture (out of 5) and even with just 1 fixture, the hallway was noticeably darker. (With a pinkish hue, it is a much dimmer light.)  In fact, for me it was already too dark.

That got me thinking . . . Just imagine the impact it would have on someone with vision problems such as cataracts or macular degeneration – or just with aging eyes like me!   

As you’re looking to save money and green up your aging loved one’s home, some things to consider:

• Install outdoor at all walkways, stairs, and entrances. There are all kinds of solar lights that are really easy to install along walkways.  Closer to the house consider lights that turn automatically when someone approaches the house or makes a sound.

• Install good, shadow free, lighting on all stairways. Put a light switch at the top and bottom of each staircase.   Make sure there are no shadows and that the light is bright enough to light the whole staircase – even when someone is on it.  One way to do this is to put rope lights under the railings and/or banisters.   You’ll also want to be careful of stairs that end in a window as it might create too much glare at the landing.

• Natural sun light is wonderful but too much bright light is not always a good thing. Not only will it be hard on the eyes, it also heats the house and puts a glare on the television screen.

• Always check rooms for shadows. Walking in and out of shadows can be very disorienting.  While you’re at it, don’t forget to check bathrooms and hallways.

• Just as too much light can be a problem, so is too little. If that’s the case, add more light fixtures.  When you do, vary the height to “spread out” the light.  Another way to add more light is to increase the wattage of the bulbs.  Just be sure you don’t use a higher watt bulb than the manufacturer recommends.

• Speaking of not enough lighting . . . I have a tiny NYC kitchen (4½ feet by 3½ feet!) with 1 light fixture on the ceiling.  That 1 fixture should be big enough to light up a kitchen 3 times the size but unfortunately, no matter where I’m facing in my kitchen, my body is blocking the light.  If that happens in your aging loved one’s kitchen, mount lighting under the cabinets.  I used tube/rope lights which put out more than enough light – and they put out a nice light.

• Lights only help if you can turn them on so make sure the switch is easy to use. You can buy big switches to put over the small switches on lamps to make them easier to manipulate.  (www.dailylivingaids.guidestobuy.com).  Also, rocker switches are generally easier to use and come in different sizes.  You also might want to put switches on the floor that can be turned on with a foot (providing they can support themselves on 1 foot as holding onto an flimsy lamp for balance is not a good idea.)  If they can’t balance on 1 foot – or hold onto something sturdy – then consider putting the foot slide on a table.

Periodically check the lighting in your aging loved one’s home.  Make sure that the lighting meets their changing needs.   Saving money is great.  Being green is even better.  But if they have to put on 5 lamps in order to read – that’s not a savings!

Think your Mom or Dad is way too stubborn to follow these suggestions?  Not sure how to broach the subject?  Whatever your eldercare issue, check out the ultimate eldercare instruction manual . . . The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System – functional eldercare!

Tagged as: elder care, eldercare, environment, green, lighting