Impact of Light Level on Physical Self-maintenance of Demented Elderly in Care and Attention Homes

The physical self-maintenance has performed essential function to ensure individual well-being and self-esteem, especially for elderly dementia patients in care and attention homes. Light level, which supports various daily activities, may contribute to promoting one’s capacity of physical self-maintenance. This study aims to explore the influence of light level on different aspects of physical self-maintenance among elderly patients with dementia in care and attention homes. Four types of light level (i.e., natural lighting, daytime artificial lighting, nighttime artificial lighting, and task lighting) and five activities of physical self-maintenance (i.e., toilet use, bathing, dressing, feeding, and moving) were identified. Based on the questionnaire survey with the elderly dementia patients from eight care and attention homes, the relationships between physical self-maintenance and light level in care and attention homes were revealed by correlation analysis: 1) bathing is positively influenced by natural lighting and artificial lighting; 2) nighttime artificial lighting has positive effect on moving; 3) no significant relationships were founded between other physical self-maintenance activities (i.e., toilet use, dressing, feeding) and light level. Practical recommendations were put forward accordingly, including the size and material of windows for introducing natural lighting, suggested illuminance in different areas and periods for fulfilling dynamic needs, types of light sources, etc.