ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR LIGHTING IN APARTMENTS FOR AGED/ELDERLY

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Date
2020
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PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Light is a critical tool in human functioning. It allows human beings to see things and perform activities. There are many physical, mental, and sensory changes that take place in the body and mind as individual ages, all of which may create barriers to live independently. Due to the natural process of aging on the eye, it is likely that every individual will experience some form of progressive visual impairment. Research done on lighting and aged both in India and abroad was limited to standard setting for ADL and IADL activities, health and physiological effects and impacts but not in relation to housing. An exclusive study on lighting for the aged in relation to housing is lacking and for those living in apartments was not addressed. Therefore, a need for identification of lighting levels in the apartments was necessary, to know whether the existing lighting was sufficient for performing their ADL/ IADL activities and the problems elderly were facing with regard to the lighting levels. As a matter of fact, improper lighting levels in apartments were poor which affects the elderly health status that was leading to physical hazards. To fulfill theses research gaps, the present study was designed focusing on the following objectives: (1) To measure indoor lighting in various rooms where ADL (Activities of Daily Living) xiv and IADL (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) activities are performed by the aged/elderly. (2) To study the satisfaction of the aged/elderly in relation to the adequacy of indoor lighting while performing ADL and IADL activities. (3) To assess their perception of vision and well-being in respect to the indoor lighting. (4) To suggest modifications/changes for optimizing indoor lighting to improve their performance of ADL and IADL activities. The present study was carried out in Hyderabad, the capital city of state of Telangana. An Exploratory research design was adopted and a sample of 50 elderly people (56- 80 years of age) was selected through purposive sampling method. An interview cum observation schedule was designed to collect the data. The study found that cent percent of the sample were performing ADL activities like eating, bathing, toileting and dressing. IADL activities like food preparation (48% elderly female), reading (50%) Managing medications (94%) and shopping (46%) were performed. Only forty three per cent of ADL and twenty per cent of IADL activities were performed without assistance in the age group of 56-60. The average time spent for ADL was 24.09 minutes and IADL were 49.29 minutes with assistance. While 12.16 minutes for ADL and 20.93 minutes for IADL without assistance. The hindrances like dim lighting, poor vision were faced by (24%) of the respondents, (82%) were comfortable and sixteen per cent felt glared vision while performing the activities. Majority of the respondents felt not at all difficult with the existing lighting to perform activities. The satisfaction levels of existing indoor lighting for performing ADL activities among male were extremely satisfied (about 22%), satisfied (35%) and averagely satisfied (about 30%), while female respondents were extremely satisfied (15%), satisfied (26%), averagely satisfied (34%). Satisfaction levels of existing indoor lighting for performing IADL activities among male were satisfied (20%), averagely satisfied (21%), while female respondents were averagely satisfied (about 25%) and satisfied (about 11%). Lighting levels used for eating activity from 0- 100 lux were (70%), (34%) and (78%) in the morning, afternoon and night respectively. The overall lighting levels were very poor and were significantly less than the recommended lighting levels for the living environment of elder people in the present study.
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D10,607
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