June 6, 2025
Poor lighting creates a massive safety hazard for seniors. If they can’t see a problem, seniors can’t avoid it. Figuring out how to improve lighting might be easier than families expect. Home care providers can recommend problem areas, but putting some of these tips to work can help as well.
Sometimes what a room really needs is just another lighting fixture or two. Adding floor lamps, table lamps, and even night lights to a room helps so much. Using brighter light bulbs doesn’t hurt, either, but if seniors only have an overhead light or one small lamp in a room, then increasing the fixture count is the way to go.
If seniors have a tough time finding light switches or remembering to turn on lights, then automation can really help out. Night lights that have automatic sensors, either motion sensors or low-light sensors, allow the lights to turn on when the right conditions occur. Seniors don’t have to worry about turning these off again when they leave the room, either, which is another benefit.
Another idea is to swap out traditional light switches for ones that glow in the dark. These are handy because they’re easier to find and seniors don’t have to struggle to turn on the lights. Some of these are available in rocker-style switches, too, which are even easier to operate than smaller switches are. This is handy if seniors have grip or strength issues in their hands due to arthritis or other issues.
There’s nothing worse than an unexpected power outage and no flashlight available. The best solution in that case is to prepare in advance. Keep flashlights handy in every single room. They can tuck away in nightstand drawers and on side tables out of the way. Make sure that elder care providers are aware of where to find not only flashlights, but also spare batteries. This helps them stay on top of flashlight maintenance for seniors.
It’s also a good idea to light up the outdoor spaces as much as possible. Lighting around pathways, stairs, porches, and patios keeps the area visible and reduces tripping. If possible, consider solar lighting in some of these areas. These types of lights tend to be automatic and operate as soon as the lighting conditions get dim enough. Seniors don’t have to worry about being outside during dusk and forgetting to turn the lights on from inside the house if the lights turn on automatically when the sun goes down.
Keeping seniors safe as they age in place means looking at all sorts of solutions. Proper lighting is an easy way to make sure that aging adults can navigate their homes as safely as possible, even with assistive tools like a cane or walker. Home care providers can help seniors to stay aware of when they might need to make some changes to their homes’ lighting fixtures so that they can remain safe.
