Circadian lighting in care homes

By LYS
26 Oct 2022

Healthy lighting plays an important role in care homes.

In the realm of care homes, the significance of healthy lighting cannot be understated. Just as fresh air and water are essential for our well-being, access to proper lighting is equally vital. Unfortunately, many care home residents face the double burden of limited exposure to natural daylight and subpar indoor lighting conditions. This neglect can have detrimental effects on their circadian rhythm, leading to sleep disturbances, cognitive decline, behavioral issues, and an overall diminished quality of life.

As a result of ancient evolutionary processes, the human body has learned to follow the periodic rising and setting of the sun. Circadian lighting imitates this periodicity in electric lighting systems by automatically adjusting the intensity and colour temperature over a 24h period. Bright, blue light causes the body to produce serotonin causing us to feel more alert, while darkness and the warmer tones release melatonin: a hormone that prepares our body for sleep. Implementing circadian light helps us to preserve our connection to the sun and ultimately to live healthier with light during the time we are indoors.

The science behind circadian lighting

What is fascinating about light is that it acts on the endocrine system in the same way as many medications targeting depression and insomnia. Scientific research has demonstrated the efficacy of circadian lighting to improve sleep, mood, and cognitive function. In care homes specifically, circadian lighting can significantly improve quality of life for residents by:

  • Reducing falls
  • Improving sleep (and thus minimise wake-ups during night)
  • Improving cognitive function
  • Reduce winter depression and seasonal affective disorder
  • Minimising risk of sundown syndrome

Recently, extensive research from Harvard University (Steven Lockley et al.) demonstrated that circadian lighting can reduce falls in care homes by 43%.

Another study suggests that circadian lighting can be a valuable addition to more traditional interventions. Patients with dementia see greater disturbances in their circadian rhythm than normal aging people resulting in poorer sleep and faster cognitive decline. The study concluded that circadian lighting has a great impact on “the frequency and duration of night-time bed wandering and daytime napping”. This suggests that circadian lighting may be a critical piece of future dementia care by helping guide patients into healthier sleep-wake schedules without the need for them to adhere to verbal cues.

Promoting Restful Sleep

A good night’s sleep is essential for the overall health and vitality of care home residents. Circadian lighting adjusts lighting conditions according to the natural patterns of daylight. In the morning and throughout the day, the lighting system emits bright, blue-enriched light that mimics natural sunlight, promoting alertness and energy. As evening approaches, the lighting gradually transitions to warmer, dimmer tones, signaling the body to release melatonin and prepare for restful sleep.

By providing residents with lighting that aligns with their circadian rhythm, circadian lighting helps regulate sleep patterns. This can result in improved sleep quality, reduced instances of nighttime awakenings, and enhanced overall restfulness. Care home residents can wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to face the day ahead.

Enhancing Mood and Cognitive Function

Light has a profound impact on mood and cognitive function. Circadian lighting optimises these aspects by creating a stimulating and dynamic environment for care home residents. The lighting system replicates the natural progression of daylight, with bright, cool-toned lighting during the daytime hours to promote alertness and productivity.

By exposing residents to appropriate light levels and color temperatures throughout the day, circadian lighting helps improve their mood, increase focus, and enhance cognitive performance. The balanced lighting conditions foster an atmosphere of positivity and mental engagement, leading to improved social interactions, mental acuity, and overall well-being.

Minimising Fall Risks

Falls can have severe consequences for the elderly, and care homes must prioritise measures to minimise fall risks. Circadian lighting plays a significant role in creating a safe environment for residents by optimising lighting conditions. Research from institutions such as Harvard University has demonstrated that implementing circadian lighting can effectively reduce fall rates in care homes by up to 43%. The dynamic lighting adjustments promote better visibility and spatial awareness, making it easier for residents to navigate their surroundings confidently.

Addressing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects many individuals during the darker months. Circadian lighting offers a solution to combat the effects of SAD within care homes. By replicating the spectrum of natural daylight, these lighting systems help regulate residents’ circadian rhythms and mitigate the impact of seasonal changes on their mood and energy levels.

The gradual transition of color temperatures from bright, cool tones in the morning to warmer, dimmer hues in the evening helps stabilise residents’ mood and alleviate symptoms associated with SAD. The presence of simulated natural light promotes the release of serotonin, enhancing overall vitality even during the darkest days of the year.

Assessing the light in your care home

Brightness is a perceptual quality of light measured in lux. The circadian impact of light is measured in Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance (mEDI). Just because a light is bright doesn’t necessarily mean it will result in a strong human response.

Beside lux and mEDI, the following are specifications to be aware of:

  • Kelvin: Determines the temperature of a light source (higher values = colder/bluer light)
  • Colour rendering index (CRI): Determines how well a light source shows colours
  • Lumen: Measures how much light is emitted from a light source
  • Flicker: Refers to rapid changes in brightness that can impact individuals with pre-existing conditions

LYS’ circadian lighting solution for care homes

LYS is dedicated to building a healthy lighting solution that can increase quality of life for residents in care homes. Circadian lighting solutions often require specialist teams to rewire and implement them, but LYS’ solution is a simple and wireless one that can easily retrofit into care homes without the need for rewiring.

With seamless WiFi connectivity, our lights automatically adjust to the optimal settings, and all lights can be manually controlled through our user-friendly app. We believe the world would be a better place if more people lived healthier with light.