Improved Lighting in Nursing Homes Reduces Falls

It’s no secret that falls in nursing homes can have major health and economic implications. Not only can it mean major surgery for the injured, but it can also spell disaster for the care facility. Lighting plays a huge part in alertness, sleep, and visual acuity, and all of these things have an impact on falls.

Improved Lighting in Nursing Homes Reduces Falls

 

A study done in July 2022 assessed the impact of upgraded lighting on the rate of falls in long-term care home residents. The study was done at four different care homes; two were upgraded to solid-state lighting, and the other two stayed as control sites.

 

The solid-state lighting installed in the experimental sites increased short wavelength exposure during the day and decreased it overnight. The control sites maintained regular, standard lighting with no changes in intensity or spectrum during the day. Before the lighting upgrade, the rate of falls and all four locations were similar at about 6.62 falls per 1,000 resident-days. After the experiment, the falls were reduced by almost half in the experimental sites compared to the control sites.

 

The study found that upgrading ambient light to incorporate blue-enriched white light during the daytime is an effective, passive, and low-cost way to reduce falls in long-term care settings. Blue light has many benefits, including boosting alertness, helping memory and cognitive function, and elevating mood. It helps regulate the circadian rhythm, allowing people to sleep better at night and be more alert during the day.

 

Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lights can emit much more blue light. LED lights are also cheaper and last far longer than incandescent bulbs. In fact, an LED light can last up to 10 times longer than its incandescent counterparts. Switching to LED bulbs should be a must for all businesses concerned with the safety of their employees and the people in their care, and LED Supply Co. has a wide range of lighting fixtures to fit any budget and any business.