Lighting plays a major role in home safety, yet it’s often overlooked. As vision changes with age, brighter and better-placed lighting becomes essential for preventing falls and injuries. The layered lighting technique works for everyone while avoiding dark areas within the home.

How aging affects vision

Good lighting alone can reduce fall risk by up to 30%.  Older adults need more light to see clearly and have reduced contrast sensitivity. Shadows, glare, and dim hallways make navigating the home more dangerous. Perhaps you can provide brighter LED bulbs in key rooms.

Key areas to improve lighting

Kitchens, hallways, staircases, bathrooms, and bedrooms should be well-lit at all times. Nighttime trips to the bathroom are a common cause of falls and deserve special attention.

Best lighting solutions

Motion-sensor lights provide hands-free illumination in hallways and bathrooms. Night lights and pathway lighting create safe routes after dark. Under-cabinet lighting improves visibility in kitchens without harsh overhead glare, putting the light where you're working. Additionally, provide lighting within drawers and inside cabinets.

Avoid common mistakes

Overly bright bulbs without diffusers can cause glare, causing trip hazards, while poorly placed motion sensors may fail to activate night lights when needed. Balanced, even, and layered light distribution reduces shadows and glare. Adequate lighting is key to a functional aging in place design. 

Lighting upgrades are a simple, cost-effective way to make a home safer. T-Square Company can help assess lighting needs and install solutions that blend seamlessly into the home.

Let’s make your forever home work beautifully for you—now and for years to come.

David L. Traut, owner of T-Square Company, has written an Aging in Place Guide

David is also certified in Universal Design in both the United States and Australia. Drawing on decades of expertise, he recently published Age in Place at Home: Adapting the Home Environment for All Generations,  an award-winning and comprehensive guide that explores the role of Universal Design in creating safe, accessible homes.

📘 Age in Place at Home takes readers room by room, explaining practical modifications that enhance safety, accessibility, and independence. The book is available on Amazon.