The effect of daylight on the elderly population

A study was completed among 9 participants, 3 housebound and 6 non-housebound, to identify whether the relationship between daily activities including light exposure, and sleep disorders in the elderly population, reveal any patterns worth further investigation. Participants were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview. Questions regarding their daily activities, ability to go out, or not, and sleep patterns were asked. Building orientation, room dimensions, window positions, room wall-reflectance and illuminance levels were recorded. This study supports evidence that suggests that people over the age of 60 spend most of their “indoor” time under low illuminance levels. Also, a notable difference in the health and sleep condition between housebound and people able to go out was observed. This means daylight availability is particularly important for housebound elderly with limited access to outdoors.