EBD Using Daylight-Mimicking LEDs for Improved Health Outcomes in Older Adults at St Francis

Abstract

The American Medical Association recently declared that light at night results in adverse health outcomes. The effects of light at night are particularly relevant for the characteristic long-term care or skilled nursing facility that is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Clinical trials are underway at St. Francis Country House to evaluate the efficacy of using daylight-mimicking LEDs to stimulate human receptivity to the non-visual aspects of light to enhance cognitive functioning and improve health outcomes for the older adults in residence there. This 24 hour/7day per week lighting system will be installed in the Transition Wing of the 4th floor dementia unit at St Francis and evaluated using clinical trial methods. The Evidence-Based Design (EBD) research will evaluate the efficacy of the LED lighting system to help ameliorate the residents' symptoms of dementia.