Brightening Up A Senior’s Life – Baby Boomer Alert!
Lighting for seniors requires attention to some specific details. When planning a lighting design for aging baby boomers, we want to provide both the right light to see clearly and a safe environment. With a combination of recessed, pendant, track and wall luminaires, these needs can be met. It is very important that certain areas are well lit. Areas like stairs and bathrooms where so many accidents occur or basements, which are usually dark. Kitchens require a lot of light so that food can be prepared safely.
It is a fact that as we age, our eyes need changes and we need more light to see properly. What may be adequate at 25 may not be good enough at 40 and what may work at 40 simply won’t cut it at 60. Task lighting can help in a kitchen by installing under cabinet lighting. A good choice for under cabinet lighting is fluorescent for the simple reason that it requires very little maintenance. This is another important aspect to consider. We want to try to choose lighting that is very low maintenance and does not require tools to change bulbs. Placing the lamps in a place that is easy to reach to change the bulbs is also a good option. Wall sconces are a good option to solve this problem. A wall sconce placed on a stairwell, for example, can provide light and eliminate the need for a stairwell to change the bulb.
Wall sconces can also be a solution in other rooms. Two wall sconces; one on each side of the vanity does a great job of lighting the room and makes it easy to replace the bulb. When choosing a fixture, just make sure the wall sconce has an open top or bottom so the bulb can be replaced without having to remove parts. An over-the-vanity light bar with exposed bulbs is another good alternative. The fixtures you want to try and avoid are those where you have to loosen or remove small screws to get to the bulb.
Another point to consider is outdoor lighting for security. Be sure to provide plenty of light at all entrances and exits. These lights should also be on a timer or photocell so they are on when needed. Someone may leave expecting to be home before dark and be late. In this case, having the lights turn on automatically will allow them to enter the house safely. Motion detectors can also be used in places where we don’t want to keep lights on for long periods of time. Areas such as hallways along the side of a house or a path where garbage is taken out. Driveways are another good location for a motion detector light.
In fixtures where changing a bulb is a bit difficult, using a compact fluorescent is a good option. With a compact fluorescent, the bulb will last up to 3 years and sometimes longer. A great place for one is your shower light, just make sure you get a big enough bulb to light the area adequately. Outdoor lighting fixtures are also a good option, unless you live in an area where the temperature drops well below freezing. Another place for fluorescent lighting is in closets, which can be extremely dark for an older person.
The key points to remember are to make sure all areas are adequately lit and to use fixtures that require minimal maintenance.