Great Lighting Can Be a Key to Aging in Place

Growing older is a blessing, but in order to age in place comfortably, it’s usually necessary to make some accommodations. One of the changes that accompanies the aging process is a gradual decline in vision. With that in mind, modifying the lighting in your home can be a boon.

Effects of Age on Eyesight

 As the years go by, our eyes experience a progressive decline. Our eyes tire more easily, the ability to see small details fades, contrasts become less distinct, and we have increasing trouble telling colors apart. Our vision deteriorates in other ways, too, as it becomes harder to adapt to changes in lighting when we go from dark to light spaces or vice versa — we even tend to be more sensitive to glare. There are also vision-related diseaseswhich typically arise in our later years, such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.

When these vision changes are combined with other effects of aging, such as balance issues and waning strength, seniors are at increased risk for dangerous falls. It’s important to be proactive for safety’s sake, and improved lighting can be a significant advantage for seniors.