Lighting for Elderly Parents' Rooms | Considering Age, Brightness, and Glare

"The lights at my parents' home seem a little dim"—many people feel this way every time they visit.

It's not that the rooms are dark; rather, it's believed that our "perception of brightness" changes with age. This article explains how to consider the lighting in an elderly parent's room.

Perception of brightness changes with age

Generally, as we age, the amount of light entering our eyes decreases, and we are said to require more brightness than when we were younger. On the other hand, it is also said that we become more sensitive to glare. In other words, a balance of "bright, but not glaring" is important.

Points to review in a parent's room

• Ensure sufficient brightness: Older lighting fixtures may have reduced light output. Choose one that matches the room's size (tatami count).
• Brighten hands and feet: Don't forget lighting for reading or manual tasks, and for walking areas and stairs.
• Reduce glare: Design that prevents light from directly entering the eyes and diffuses it evenly.
• Prioritize color rendering: It's reassuring when medicine labels and food colors appear natural.
• Simple operation: Being able to adjust brightness from a handheld remote means not having to get up.

Visiting home is the perfect opportunity for review

Parents themselves often get used to the lighting in rooms they've used for a long time and don't notice the dimness. If you feel it's "a little dark" when you visit, that's a sign it's time for a review. For more on home visits and lighting, please also refer to Reviewing the Darkness and Brightness of Your Parents' Home.

In the case of lipro

The Sunlight Ceiling Light offers dimming from 0-100% brightness and a color rendering index of Ra97+. Designed to diffuse light evenly to reduce glare, and brightness can be adjusted from a remote control. It can be installed without construction, making it easy to introduce into a parent's room.

Summary: Review brightness according to age

Our "perception of brightness" changes with age. By reviewing brightness, color rendering, and glare to suit the older generation, daily life can become a little more comfortable.

Reference Information

• lipro "Sunlight Ceiling Light"
  https://jp.lipro.com/ja-jp/products/ceiling-light-ja