The Vital Role of Lighting in Aged Care

Below we take a brief look at some of the research examining the relationship between light, well-being and health; an important relationship to consider within the modern aged care sector that seeks to foster longer, healthier, happier lives.

The important balance between darkness and light

Our circadian rhythm controls our alternation between sleep and wakefulness, and is primarily controlled by light. The human circadian rhythm has a period of approximately 24 hours, and to keep this rhythm undisturbed it is important that the balance between light and dark be maintained.

All light—not just sunlight—can contribute to the alignment of an organism’s circadian rhythm to the external rhythm of its environment. Given that people today spend much of their waking day indoors, insufficient illumination or improper lighting design can lead to a drift of the circadian phase, especially if paired with inappropriate light exposure at night.

More alert staff and faster healing.

Several international studies conducted in health care show that increased levels of natural light gives a more positive work environment and makes nursing staff feel better [1]. Other research says that nurses residing in daylight at least 3 hours per day feel less stressed than do those not exposed to as much daylight [2].

The availability of daylight in the morning hours, along with the day and night cycles, are key factors for maintaining circadian rhythms. For health care professionals who work day shift light can therefore contribute to increased alertness and better sleep quality at night [3].

In the same way, a disturbed circadian rhythm affects residents’ comfort and well-being. Lack of sleep stresses residents, weakens the immune system and can lead to respiratory problems and disturbances in body temperature [4].

In addition, research also suggests that an amber night light not only facilitates a good night’s sleep but also measurably enhances our cognitive functions later during the day.
A joint study by Lund University and Fagerhult [5] investigated the effects of dynamic ambient lighting on the elderly. The study involved one experiment group and one control group in a retirement home in Sweden. Glare-free LED luminaires with indirect light were used in the control rooms. The lighting control system automatically adjusted the light levels to maintain circadian rhythms. The results revealed that the experiment group had [5]:

• Higher alertness during the day
• Better sleep quality
• Reduced feeling of drowsiness
• Reduction in fall incidents.

Suppressing depression

Research has shown that light, be it daylight or bright artificial light, suppresses depression. Research results also say that light therapy is effective and that it can in some cases achieve results that are comparable to those obtained with antidepressant drugs [6]. Other studies have found that depressed patients recover better in rooms with more daylight [7].

Reduced pain and consumption of painkillers

A study carried out with surgical patients compared patients in areas with a higher level of natural light with patients who had rooms on the shadow side of the same building. Patients who got more daylight experienced less pain and lower stress levels. In addition, they took 22 percent less painkillers, thus reducing overall expenditure on drugs [8].

Lower risk of inaccurate dosing

A good working light is important for all professions, but the managing of advanced technology and medicine sets increased requirements in aged care. A European study
of hospital pharmacies shows that the risk of incorrect mixing ratio was 37 percent higher at light levels from 450 to 1000lux on the working surfaces. When the light level was increased to 1500lux the pharmacists made far fewer mistakes [9]. 

[NB: lighting levels quoted here refer to European standards] 

Summary

• Sleep is important for well-being.

• Light controls our circadian rhythm.

• Light makes us feel better and facilitates healing.

• Daylight reduces pain and minimises the need for drugs.

• Light reduces depression.

• Right light levels reduce the risk of errors in medication.

At Eagle Lighting Australia we understand that the challenge of lighting the modern aged care facility is in finding aesthetically pleasing and modern luminaires that meet the
building’s diverse functional requirements.

We look forward to discussing with you how Eagle Lighting Australia can provide lighting solutions for your aged care project.

References:

A large part of the information is taken from a Swedish report “The Good Ward”, a final report from Program for Technical Standard (PTS Forum) and the Centre for Healthcare
Architecture, Chalmers 2011.

1. Verderber and Reuman, 1987; Mroczek et al., 2005.
2. Alimoglu och Donmez, 2005.
3. Rea, 2004.
4. Wallace et al., 1999; Krachman et al., 1995;
Parthasarathy and Tobin, 2004.
5. Govén et al, 2015
6. Golden et al., 2005.
7. Beauchemin and Hays, 1996, 1998; Benedetti et al., 2001.
8. Walch et al., 2005.
9. Buchanan et al., 1991.