7 Powerful Ways Your Lighting Can Help You Age in Place

7 Powerful Ways Your Lighting Can Help You Age in Place   Aging in place means you get to keep your autonomy and choose where you live. It can also reduce potential nursing home bills and save you money in the long run. One factor of safely aging in place includes your home lighting. Here’s how your lighting can help you live more safely in your own home.  

1. Adding light can help with visibility problems

  If you struggle with visual problems, extra lighting will help you see better. Install it in areas that might be hard to maneuver, such as hallways and the basement. You can also install lighting fixtures that are meant for specific tasks, such as reading or working in the kitchen. Install dimmer switches so you can enjoy different effects of lighting but still have the option of maximum brightness. Dimmer switches can also help prolong the life of your lightbulbs.  

2. Preventing falls

  Many indoor falls can be prevented by better lighting, according to an article published in Luvozo. It’s recommended that your lighting be even and consistent throughout all of your rooms. You should also use indirect lighting to prevent glares. You can do this by concealing bulbs and using blinds to prevent glare from the sun.  

3. Motion-sensing lights can improve accessibility

  Installing lights that respond to motion can make it easier to move around in a room and invite a sense of security. According to CBS News, you can get a “smart” light switch that can be controlled on your smartphone. This puts a timer on lights to accommodate your changing needs throughout the day.  

4. Extra lighting in the kitchen can make it safer

  The lighting in your kitchen can go beyond fluorescent fixtures. You can also add lighting underneath your cabinets, track lighting that can be easily moved and repositioned, and recessed lighting that will light up specific areas. If you plan on updating the lights in your home and need to make repairs, it’s safest to hire a licensed professional with ample electrical experience.  

5. Vary the levels of light

  Dimmers help you adjust your lighting as natural light levels change throughout the day. Turning on the brightest lights in a home in the middle of the night can disrupt normal sleeping patterns, so utilizing your dimmers or a nightlight that supplies just enough light can prevent problems with falling back asleep while still keeping you safe.  

6. Use the right fixture

  Sometimes, a complete overhaul of lighting isn’t necessary. Instead, simply installing a different fixture that is well-suited for a particular area of the home is all that’s really needed. You might be more in need of a reading lamp with an extendable arm rather than a bunch of newly-installed lights. You also might only need to change the lighting between potentially-hazardous areas, such as the path from the bedroom to the bathroom so you’re safe at night, rather than in your entire home.  

7. LED lighting is good for you and the environment

  LED lights are energy efficient. They use 80 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, which means they last longer and give you more bang for your buck. They also can be used in different ways for different rooms. Some are tinged with blue lighting, which will help you stay alert and awake, but others can be tinged with warmer, neutral tones that can help you feel sleepier at bedtime.   There are many other ways seniors can use lighting to age in place. Hire a professional to help you with any electrical repairs you may need. You’ll want to have a light that you can reach while lying down, as this can help make those dark evenings and mornings easier. The better your light situation is, the easier aging in place will be.   Article submitted by Jim Vogel – Elder Action    [email protected]