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)
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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