VisionAware

Transcript of Preventing Falls by Adapting Your Home – Lighting Video

NARRATOR 1: With certain kinds of vision loss, our eyes don’t adjust as quickly to changes in lighting, and this can cause problems. Light needs to be even throughout the home. You can do this simply by adding additional light sources.

NARRATOR 2: A man turns on a floor lamp.

NARRATOR 1: Use lamps that have an adjustable neck, swinging arm, dimmer, or a three-way bulb to adjust for light needs throughout the day. Lighting for tasks or activities should be brighter than general lighting. Use lighter-colored lamp shades, and clean them periodically. Use nightlights in hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms to maintain even lighting at night.

NARRATOR 2: A man sitting in a chair. He claps [two claps]. A nearby lamp turns on.

NARRATOR 1: Clap-on/clap-off lights in the living room and in your bedroom will keep you from having to get up from your chair to adjust the lighting. It is very important to have a lamp at your bedside, in case you need to get out of bed in the middle of the night. Use adjustable blinds or vertical shades to adjust lighting levels and glare. Install light switches at every doorway to avoid walking great distances in a dimly lit or dark room. You can also install or paint light switch plates a bold, contrasting color to prevent searching along the wall for a switch.

To prevent falls from happening, think carefully about the lighting in your home. Make sure the lighting is as even as possible, free from glare, and easy for you to access.

NARRATOR 2: Four images are shown. A nightlight plugged into a wall; a woman adjusting vertical blinds; a man clapping as he sits next to a lamp to read; and a person touching a white light switch with a black plate.