Growing older can be accompanied by several physical limitations, but the AARP Andrus Foundation and the Lighting Research Center (LRC) have completed a joint project they hope will lessen the effects of one of them. “Lighting the Way: A Key to Independence” is a list of guidelines developed by the LRC and distributed by AARP that details how to select light sources and how to install light fixtures in a way that helps older adults see clearer.
The groups’ research concluded that there are a number of ways to improve the lighting and safety in the home. Their test results demonstrated that lighting could help older adults maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. Some of the practical solutions of the guidelines include:
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Visual changes that occur to the aging eye
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Lighting principles for older adults
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How to apply the lighting principles in homes
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How to choose a light source
The guidelines can be downloaded at www.andrus.org/Independence/lightbuilders.html.
