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Aging in Place by Room - Part 32 - Bedroom Lighting

1/9/2020

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By Anna Hazard
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Introduction

In order to lower the potential risk of tripping and falling within the bedroom, proper lighting should be installed throughout. This would include having ambient lighting from diffused sources in order to minimize glare as well as having adjustable task lighting over high-use areas such as desks, computers, dressing and reading areas (including the bed, if that is where reading & other tasks are done).

​Like in the other areas of the house, light fixtures should be installed in locations with easy access for light bulb replacement and the lights themselves should be aimed downward instead of horizontally to help reduce the production of shadows and to further illuminate any potential tripping hazards.
 
In addition, the walls of the bedroom should be painted in light colors in order to help further brighten the room as well as minimize potential shadows. In particular the glare from undiffused lighting or other reflective surfaces can cause visual acuity problems. This can be particularly dangerous when traversing the room if there isn't sufficient contrast between the flooring and walls.
Fluorescent Light Bulb Picture

Lights for the Day

High illumination provided by good quality fluorescent light bulbs (instead of old style incandescent bulbs) can help improve contrast, color perception, and shape distinguishment which can be helpful when it comes to dressing, choosing clothing, or looking at pictures & reading while in the bedroom. This is a particular boon when it comes to aging eyes that may have various developed  various visual problems over the years.

​Otherwise, long lasting and energy efficient LED lights that are easy to maintain can be used during the day. As normal LED lights tend to put out light in the blue spectrum, they should be avoided at night. 
Red Night Light Picture

Lights for the Night

Since seniors often develop insomnia and other sleep related problems (including trouble going or remaining asleep throughout the night), lighting that helps maintain the normal circadian rhythm should be used within the bedroom at night.

Thus the use of light bulbs that put out light in the blue spectrum should be avoided in the evening as studies have shown that the body's reaction to blue light is similar to its reaction to bright sunlight (which causes the suppression of melatonin a hormone that helps regulate the body's internal  sleep cycle). For that reason, un-tinted computer or television monitors should be avoided or adjusted to night mode in the evening.
 
During the night, red tinged and other low color temperature lights should be used instead. This would include the potential use of red sleep therapy lights as well as red tinted nightlights. Nightlights should be used when maneuvering around the house at night instead of full overhead lighting which can shock the body into full alertness.

Otherwise the bedroom should be kept dark during sleep hours. Potential incoming light from the windows and other outside sources should be blocked through the use of shades or blinds (with a preference for vertical blinds as they accumulate less dust due to their positioning and thus are easier to clean & maintain). For further convenience (or a necessity by those users who may be bedridden), automated or motorized window coverings can be installed that can be controlled via remote control from the bed.
 
Otherwise sleeping and wake-up alarm lights can be used as sleep aids to help stimulate the natural circadian rhythm. This can be done by emulating sunset at sleep time  using red and amber lights during the night and then triggering a more natural wake-up experience by simulating a dawn through gradually increasing yellow and blue light during the wake-up period in the morning.
Luminno Glow in the Dark Rocker Switch Picture

Lights for Safety & Convenience

As it's extremely likely that someone will be navigating through the bedroom at night (due to either bathroom breaks or snack raids), one essential for bedroom safety includes the presence of night lights (preferably in the red spectrum to cause the least interference with sleeping patterns). These night lights should also preferably have an emergency function that is run by batteries so that light is still available even during power blackouts at night.
 
Otherwise, lights that have been installed under-the-bed that are triggered by motion are convenient to have at night as well as having rocker style glow-in-the-dark light switches. These type of switches are the easiest to activate by a user that may have arthritis or other hand dexterity and  strength issues and having them glow-in-the-dark makes them easier to spot at night for those who may have visual problems.
 
Another option are dimmable lights (often operated by dials instead of switches) which are particularly convenient in the bedroom where lights should be kept muted at night in order to not disturb the body's circadian rhythm. These switches should be reachable from the bedside which should locate them approximately 36" to 40" above the floor surface.

​Other convenient lights for use in the bedroom include those activated by touch (particularly useful for a bedside lamp), activated by sound (such as clappers), or smart tech enabled lights.

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 - Introduction
Part 2 - Exterior
Part 3 - Landscaping & Gardens
Part 4 -  Patio,  Porch, & Deck
Part 5 - Garage & Carports

Part 6 - Entrances, Exits, & Thresholds
Part 7 - Exterior Steps & Ramps
Part 8 - Threshold Lighting & Windows

Part 9 - Interior Doors & Halls
Part 10 - Interior Steps & Staircases
Part 11 - Interior Stairlifts

Part 12 - Interior Elevators
Part 13 - Interior Lighting
Part 14 - General Interior Flooring
Part 15 - Interior Flooring Comparisons
Part 16 - HVAC & Energy Efficiency

Part 17 - Power, Communications, & Other Interior Systems
Part 18 - Living Room
Part 19 - Kitchen Layout, HVAC, & Electrical Systems
Part 20 - Kitchen Lighting, Flooring, and Sink Faucets

Part 21 - Kitchen Countertops & Cabinets
Part 22 - 
Kitchen Refrigerators, Freezers, and Dishwashers
Part 23 - 
Kitchen Ovens, Ranges, Stovetops, and Cooktops
Part 24 - Kitchen 
Microwaves, Blenders, & Food Processors
Part 25 - 
Miscellaneous Kitchen Items
Part 26 - Dining Room Layout, Tables, & Other Furniture
Part 27 - Dining Room Flooring, Lighting, & Meal Serving Equipment
Part 28 - Bedroom Layout & Closets
Part 29 - Accessible 
Beds 
Part 30 - Bedroom Furniture, Electronics, & Other Accessories
Part 31 - Bedroom Flooring
​
Part 32 - Bedroom Lighting
Part 33 - Bathroom General Layout
Part 34 - Bathroom General Tips for Showers & Tubs
Part 35 - Bathroom Accessible Tubs
Part 36 - Bathroom Accessible Showers

Part 37 - Bathroom Accessible Toilets
Part 38 - Bathroom Sinks & Vanities

Part 39 - Bathroom Cabinets & Shelving
Part 40 - Bathroom Grab Bars
Part 41 - Bathroom Flooring
Part 42 - Laundry Room
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