An integrated model for luminous environment and quality of life of older people in care and attention homes

Abstract

The luminous environment (LE) impacts significantly on the Quality of Life (QoL) of residents of Care and Attention (C&A) homes, through multiple channels, but these have not been studied holistically. This paper develops an integrated model to explore the constructs and relationships underpinning LE dimensions and QoL variables through correlation analysis, regression and structural equation modelling. Data was collected through on-site observations and a questionnaire survey administered to 94 older people in purposively-selected C&A homes in Hong Kong. The observed C&A homes performed well in the spatial luminance distribution in the dining rooms and the corridors and natural light in the bedrooms, but performed poorly in lighting control. The results show that psychological health can be positively predicted by spatial luminance distribution, lighting for navigation and natural light, that independence is impacted by color and no extreme luminance contrasts, that navigation lighting, natural light, and that light level for work positively influences basic activities of daily living. The somewhat more surprising positive correlation between physical health and lighting control, and negative correlation between basic activities of daily living with the lack of extreme luminance contrasts are explored, and reveal further insights regarding methodological refinements. Practical recommendations are made based on these findings.