At geriatric wards in hospitals as well as nursing and care homes, the applied lighting systems can benefit elderly patients, including those suffering from dementia, as well as those, whose sight and spatial awareness are declining with age. The right lighting solutions can reduce worry, insecurity and the fear of falling, as well as increase independence and a sense of wellbeing.
With this in mind, lighting plans for elderly care wards and homes must be devised while taking into account the various functions of the individual spaces. Closely concentrated lights should be avoided due to the decreased visibility they provide. Indirect, glare-free light is the best solution for general lighting. In addition, task lights can be used to provide positioned direct light for challenging visual activities, such as reading or writing.
Cafés or day rooms at elderly care wards and nursing homes can be equipped with accentuated lighting that creates a pleasant, inviting atmosphere. Suspended lighting with direct or indirect light distribution is also a great choice for these types of settings, as it provides comfortable visual conditions that can encourage communication. The use of products with a high Ra index also contributes to the visual acuity and further enhances the patients’ wellbeing. In recent years, studies have found that rooms with Human Centric Lighting, Tuneable White or adjustable colour temperatures have revealed positive effects on controlling the daily rhythm of patients experiencing dementia, as well as on other hospital residents and staff.
Lighting requirements in EN 12464‐1
| Type of task / activity area |
Lux-level (Em) |
Glare rating (UGRL) |
Uniformity (U0) |
Colour rendition (Ra) |
Em,z | Em,wall | Em,ceiling | Specific requirements |
|
| required | modified | U0 ≥ 0,10 | |||||||
| Day rooms | 300 | 500 | 22 | 0,60 | 80 | 75 | 75 | 50 | Illuminance at floor level |