Harnessing Home Sunlight: Vital for Seniors' Wellbeing | Sunlight Concepts

Harnessing Home Sunlight: A Vital Need for Seniors' Wellbeing

One of the first things children learn is that sunlight is good. It is one of the many reasons why parents pull their children away from their electronic devices and push them to spend time outside – sunlight, fresh air and exercise are all essential elements of good health. And, of course, being outdoors in good weather is nice too. But as we age, the body’s need for sunlight changes. Also, access to sunlight often becomes a problem. This is not an issue that can be ignored and when it comes to seniors, it is a very serious matter as lack of sun exposure contributes to many age-related ailments.

How Much Sunlight Do Seniors Need?

There is no clearly defined value on the amount of sunlight that a senior should be exposed to. Age, skin tone, diet, medical history and even geographical location all affect the body’s need for sunlight. That said, most experts agree that the ballpark figure is between 5 to 15 minutes a day.

While lack of sunlight carries health risks, so too does an excessive amount of sun exposure, especially for seniors. Among the most common risks are those of heatstroke, sunburn and skin cancer. Before planning any lifestyle changes to increase sunlight exposure, it is a good idea to contact a healthcare professional.

Also Read: How to Bring Light into a Basement

Finding the Right Balance

For most adults, finding the right balance is a problem. Tearing themselves away from their TVs, work, computers and so on is not easy. There is always so much that needs to be done. However, with a little willpower and time management, finding the time to go out in the sun is not at all that hard. It is a matter of a desire to do it. However, for seniors, the problem is often different. Retired life reduces the demands on their time and having the time to go outside is not normally a problem. The hurdles that they face include:

• Physical infirmity that makes it difficult to go out
• Insecurity about leaving home
• A feeling of guilt about focusing on their own needs
• Non-availability of open-air spaces in which to spend time
• Fear of leaving home on their own

Seniors are often set in their ways and changes to their schedule to include time spent outdoors can be met with resistance. Forcing the elderly to do things they do not want to, such as spending time outdoors, can also result in psychological issues.

Also Read: Living Smarter: Decoding the Smart Home Trend and Knowing the Pitfalls

The Solution

The simplest and most effective way to ensure that seniors get the sunlight that is so vital to their good health is to bring the sunlight to where they are. Windows does allow sunlight to enter indoor spaces, but that is often not enough to meet health needs or to give them the bright light to compensate for their failing vision. Supplementing it with electric lighting has no health benefits. Daylighting systems for buildings, or tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) as they are also known, is the ideal solution. They collect sunlight from the roof and carry it to even the most interior parts of the house utilizing special reflective pipes that pass through walls. No structural modification is required. The TDDs will provide the additional sunlight that not just seniors, but everyone needs. In-built dimmers will ensure that the amount of sunlight available is just right and protects against any problems resulting from excessive exposure. Add-on ventilation kits provide fresh air that perfectly complements the sunlight.

Whether you have seniors living at home or want to bring the health benefits of sunlight to everyone in the family, all it takes to get started is a phone call. Contact Sunlight Concepts, the premier Solatube dealer for the Bay Area. Solatube daylighting is the leader in TDDs and daylighting technology and their industry-leading products ensure many years of trouble-free and efficient use. Use the free consultation offer to get all your questions answered.