Lighting and falls on stairs in the homes of older people with sight loss

May 2014

Good lighting alone does not reduce the risk of  falls in older people with sight loss, according to a study commissioned by Thomas Pocklington Trust. Researchers found that flexibility and muscle movement are more important factors in ensuring sight loss stair safety.

How can this research help?

Older people with sight loss cannot rely on lighting alone to ensure safety around stairs. The research suggests a combined approach to reducing the risks of falls by focusing on improving the fitness of older people through rehabilitation.

Links:

Research Findings: Lighting and Falls on Stairs in the Homes of Older People with Sight Loss – PDF version and Word version.

Journal Article: Effects of Lighting Illuminance Levels on Stair Negotiation Performance in Individuals with Visual Impairment, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 2018