It is estimated that there are currently more than 41 million elderly residents in the United States. Of those residents, 5 million+ are likely to develop a cognitive impairment that will require them to spend some time in a hospital’s senior care unit. As such, facility administrators may want to consider installing an LED lighting system. Here are a few reasons why:

Over the years, research has proven that some elderly residents with dementia develop what is known as sundowner’s syndrome. It is a condition that involves manipulative behaviors that typically occur during periods of low light. Thus, those behaviors may be managed non-pharmaceutically by improving hospital lighting.

LEDs are the perfect choice for such applications because they provide glare-free illumination that is similar to natural sunlight. That, in turn, helps to reset the patient’s circadian rhythms as well as reduce the visual disturbances that could lead to behavioral issues.

In addition to minimizing behavioral issues, the intensity and directionality of LED lights are also worth noting. They can provide enough light for elderly patients to move around the unit safely. Furthermore, in the case of shared rooms, LED bedside lights can be positioned in a way that will keep one patient’s late night care from disturbing the other. Some LED beside lights may also be equipped with dimming capabilities, which would help with cohabitation issues as well.

While we are on the subject of safety and comfort, there are two other characteristics worth mentioning. LED lights also feature shatter resistant, cool surfaces. Thus, the likelihood that confused patients will accidentally burn or cut themselves on the bulbs is reduced as well.