Notes
Outline
Slide 1
Facts at a Glance: Assisted Living
Compound annual growth rate of 17% from 1996 to 2001
Approximately 35,000 facilities housing 1.4 million people
Typical Customer: 82 year old woman
Average Stay: 3.3 years
Assisted Living in the Future
Opportunity
Growth curve will resume: aging boomers
Developers are recognizing the need for better lighting
Liability/Safety: 8 of 10 people killed by falls are over 65 years old
Marketing: Facilities that are properly lit “sell and retain” better
“The Value of a Warm Welcome”
A caring and comfortable environment gives the residents a greater sense of safety, personal independence and well-being.
Understanding the Lighting Challenge
The Aging Eye
Lenses grow thicker, more opaque, and increasingly specked with protein deposits
“Like a computer screen with the brightness and contrast knobs turned down”
Less light reflected, colors blur, yellowish hue dominates.
Contrasting light levels are painful.
Understanding the Lighting Challenge
The Aging Eye (con’t)
Older person is more sensitive to glare
Less able to focus
Less sensitive to color
Shadows can look like water puddles
Light is vital to production of melatonin
Oregon mandating lighting standards be followed
Understanding the Lighting Challenge
“Better lighting is a simple measure that allows the elderly to maintain their independence and increase their sense of well-being.”
Source: Center of Design for an Aging Society
The Lighting Design Basics
“Naked” lamps are the worst for older eyes
Produce glare that can be painful and disorienting
Always use electronic ballasts
Flicker can be dangerous for dementia patients
Task lighting is a must
Reading/paperwork areas
Countertops/stoves/sinks
The Lighting Design Basics
Use high color rendering lamps (80 CRI or better)
Lots of light in the bathroom
Where most accidents occur
Don’t use “Hollywood” bars
Minimize access to lamps
Minimize patterns and textures
Perceived as “dirty”
The Lighting Design Basics
Color Temperature of fluorescent lamps
Regional preferences:
Northern: 2700K and 3000K
Middle:3000K to 3500K
Sunbelt: 3500K to 4100K (Florida)
The Lighting Design Basics
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
“Objects projecting from walls located between 27” and 80” above the floor plane must not protrude more than 4” from the wall”
Applies only in public corridors used as exitways
The Lighting Design Basics
Adaptation Control
Avoid abrupt changes in light levels in transitional areas, especially during the day from indoors to outdoors
Adaptation takes longer in aging eyes
Adjusting from light to dark takes considerably longer than dark to light
Covered Entries
Light pavement and steps evenly (DL’s)
Use lanterns with opaque or textured glass
Hanging fixtures should be high and rated for damp location
Foyers and Lobbies
Create a non-institutional look with decorative lighting
Keep transition to outdoors in mind (100fc)
Use skylights to supplement daytime
Visitation Areas
Creating comfort is the key
Low glare is primary design factor
Sconces may need to be ADA
Corridors
Critical area for even lighting
Sconces must be ADA compliant
Use lamps with compatible color temperature and CRI
Never use only downlights: creates “cave” effect
Public Dining Rooms
Wide distribution recessed with good cutoff
General diffuse indirect lighting to supplement DL’s
Shield any bare lamps
Mount chandeliers high
Activity Area
High ambient level (50 fc)
Provide task lighting in appropriate areas
Low ambient level near TV to avoid glare
Light bulletin boards, coffee/tea service area
Kitchenette
Undercabinet lighting for food preparation
Good color rendition: 80 CRI or better
Good ambient level : 30 fc
Try to avoid highly polished countertops
Resident bedroom
3-way table lamps
Avoid halogen lamps for reading or task lighting
Remember uniform light levels
Put sconces on both sides of dressing mirrors
Resident Bathroom
High ambient- 50 fc in shower, 60fc at mirror; long fixture over big mirror
Use frosted or opaque source shields
High output (50w PAR30) showerlight
Landscape and Garden
Conceal all sources
Uniform path lighting
Minimize brightness variations
Avoid shining lights into eyes or in windows
Product Considerations
Initial Cost vs Life Cycle Cost:
Typical payback for using linear/compact fluorescent vs incandescent is 2-3 years
Payback is based on reduced energy consumption and maintenance savings
Selling the Benefits of Fluorescent
More light output per watt used:
Recessed savings of 30-40 %
Surface or pendant savings of 60 to 70%
Longer lamp life (10,000 hrs vs 1,000 hrs)
Lower maintenance costs, increased safety
Long burning hours maintains architectural appeal of building
Selling the Benefits of Fluorescent
Low operating current means fewer circuit breakers and circuits
Electronic ballasts offer additional energy cost savings and no-flicker operation
A MUST for facilities with dementia patients
Lower operating temperatures
Lower HVAC loads
New Assisted Living Guidebook
Available in December from your Progress Representative
Application tips, suggested products