Lighting levels in the dwellings of homebound older adults
Abstract
Although poor lighting in the dwellings of older adults has been associated with falls, depression, and reduced visual performance, there has been little measurement of actual light levels in their homes. Knowing the interior light levels and preferences of older adults, especially the homebound, will be of value to service providers and designers in targeting effective interventions. This pilot study measured light levels in the apartments of 40 homebound older adults in New York City, and compared them with industry standard minimum light levels. Nearly all participants had inadequate light levels, yet rated their lighting conditions as adequate. Further research is needed on optimal light levels for improved health, safety, and quality of life.
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Reduced exposure to natural light due to more time spent indoors, lack of physical activity during daylight hours, poor indoor lighting and nighttime light exposure exacerbates these issues.
“Reduced exposure to natural light due to more time spent indoors, lack of physical activity during daylight hours, poor indoor lighting and nighttime light exposure exacerbate these issues [15, 31, 32, 33].”
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- Authors
- Bakker, R., Iofel, Y., & Lachs, M. S.
- Affiliations
- Cornell University (US)
- North Shore University Hospital (US)
- ORCID
- Lachs, Mark S.
- Venue
- Journal of Housing For the Elderly
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2004-08-04
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 17-27
- ISSN
- 0276-3893 (ISSN-L)
- 1540-353X
- OpenAlex
- W1950715633
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Housing for the Elderly (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
- Keywords
- homebound older adults, aging in place, lighting preferences, depression, visual performance, housing design, quality of life
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