Why light matters in dementia care
A new book to be launched next week guides aged care providers and care professionals on how to optimise lighting and light exposure for older people and people with dementia.
A new book to be launched next week guides aged care providers and care professionals on how to optimise lighting and light exposure for older people and people with dementia.
Written by experts in lighting, architecture and dementia care, the authors demonstrate why good lighting is one of the most significant yet poorly understood aspects of quality care environments and a positive contributor to health and wellbeing.
Enlighten explains how much light is enough, why access to natural light benefits health and how contrast, colour and reflection can hinder or support people with dementia.
The resource provides general insights for a broad readership and detailed technical information for engineers, architects and designers responsible for new buildings and refurbishments.
Enlighten has been written by lighting engineer David McNair, architect Richard Pollock and director of the Dementia Centre, Colm Cunningham.
Jens Christoffersen from the Knowledge Centre for Daylight, Energy and Indoor Climate in Denmark welcomed the book’s emphasis on daylight and on harnessing the benefits of light to improve mood, physical fitness and appetite.
Enlighten: Lighting for older people and people with dementia is published by HammondCare Media and will be officially launched in Sydney on 31 October.