Light and Older Adults
As we age, changes take place in the visual system, impacting the lives of older adults in three major ways: decreased ability to see, changes in balance and postural stability leading to a higher risk of falls, and changes in the circadian system that can impact quality of sleep.
Below is a list of research projects led by Dr. Mariana Figueiro, Professor and Director at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, investigating how light can be used to lessen the impact of aging on task visibility, reduce the risk for falls, and significantly improve sleep quality in older adults, including those living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).
Lighting the Way: A Key to Independence
This series of handbooks, sponsored by the AARP's Andrus Foundation, provides effective lighting principles for older adults and their families, architects, and healthcare providers, to improve their quality of life.
Light Mask for Older Adults with Advanced Phase Sleep Disorder
- Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG042602 Related Publication:
- Figueiro MG, Sloane PD, Ward K, et al. 2018. Impact of an Individually Tailored Light Mask on Sleep Parameters in Older Adults With Advanced Phase Sleep Disorder. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, doi: 10.1080/15402002.2018.1557189.
Watch a short video about lighting principles for older adults: 
(Note: You must have Flash v. 10 or later installed to view the presentation.)
Lighting for Postural Stability and Control in Older Adults 
Innovative Lighting Technique Reduces Risk for Falls in Older Adults
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Sponsor:
- National Institute of Nursing Research, R21NR13116
- Figueiro MG, Plitnick B, Rea MS, Gras LZ, Rea MS. 2011. Lighting and perceptual cues: Effects on gait measures of older adults at high and low risk for falls. BMC Geriatrics, 11(49).
- Figueiro MG, Gras LZ, Rea MS, Plitnick B, Rea MS. 2011. Lighting for improving balance in older adults with and without risk for falls. Age and Ageing, doi: 10.1093/ageing/afr166.
Related Publications:
24-Hour Lighting Scheme for Older Adults
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Sponsor:
- American Institute of Architects
- Figueiro MG et al. 2008. Developing Architectural Designs to Improve Sleep in Older Adults. The Open Sleep Journal. Vol. 1, Iss. 1974-6209. pp. 40-51.
- Figueiro MG. 2011. 24-hr Lighting Scheme for Older Adults. AIA Report on University Research Volume 5.
- LRC DesignWorks. Lighting for Seniors in Hebrew Home at Riverdale
- Figueiro MG. 2008. A Proposed 24 h Lighting Scheme for Older Adults. Lighting Research & Technology 40(2): 153-160.
Related Publications:
Related Projects:
A Lighting Intervention for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease in Long-Term Care Facilities
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Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG034157
- Figueiro MG, Plitnick B, Roohan C, Sahin L, et al. 2019. Effects of a tailored lighting intervention on sleep quality, rest-activity, mood, and behavior in older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. In press.
Related Publications:
The Effect of Light Exposure Duration, Spectrum, and Age on Melatonin Suppression
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Sponsor:
- Jim H. McClung Lighting Research Foundation
White Light's Effect on Melatonin in Adolescents and Older Adults
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Sponsor:
- Light and Health Alliance
Lighting's Effects on Sleep, Mood, and Behavior in Older Adults with ADRD
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Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG042602
- Figueiro MG, Sahin L, Kalsher M, Plitnick B, Rea MS. 2020. Long-term, all-day exposure to circadian-effective light improves sleep, mood, and behavior in persons with dementia. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports 4(1): 297-312.
Related Publications:
Self-luminous Light Table to Treat Sleep Disturbance, Depression, Agitation in Persons with Dementia
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Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG034157
- Figueiro MG, Plitnick B, Rea MS. 2015. Light Table to Treat Sleep Disturbance, Depression and Agitation in Persons with Dementia Living in Long-Term Care Facilities. Sleep 2015: 29th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Seattle. June 6-10, 2015.
- Figueiro MG, Plitnick B, Rea MS. 2015. Research Note: A self-luminous light table for persons with Alzheimer's disease. Lighting Research & Technology. Published online before print Sept. 2, 2015, doi: 10.11177/1477153515603881.
Related Publications:
Tailored Lighting Intervention for Persons with Dementia and Caregivers Living at Home
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Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG034157
- Figueiro MG, Hunter CM, Higgins P, Hornick T, Jones GE, Plitnick B, Brons J, Rea MS. 2015. Tailored lighting intervention for persons with dementia and caregivers living at home. Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation 1(4): 322-330.
Related Publication:
Tailored Light Treatment Improves Dementia Symptomatic Behavior
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Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG034157
- Figueiro MG, Plitnick BA, Lok A, et al. 2014. Tailored lighting intervention improves measures of sleep, depression and agitation in persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia living in long-term care facilities. Clinical Interventions in Aging 9: 1527-1537.
Related Publication:
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Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG034157
Light therapy and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia
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Sponsors:
- National Institute of Nursing Research, R01AG034157
- Abe's Garden Alzheimer's and Memory Care of Excellence
- Nagare R, Possidente B, Lagalwar S, Figueiro MG. 2020. Robust light–dark patterns and reduced amyloid load in an Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mouse model. Scientific Reports 10(1): 11436.
- Sahin L, Figueiro MG. 2020. Flickering red-light stimulus for promoting coherent 40 Hz neural oscillation: A feasibility study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 75(3): 911-921 .
- Hanford N, Figueiro MG. 2012. Light therapy and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia: Past, present, and future. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 33(4): 913-922.
Related Publications:
Exposure to Light Could Help Alzheimer's Patients Sleep Better
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Sponsor:
- National Institute on Aging, R01AG034157
- Figueiro MG, Hamner R, Higgins P, Hornick T, Rea MS. 2012. Field measurements of light exposures and circadian disruption in two populations of older adults. Journal of Alzheimers Disease 31(4):711-715.
Related Publications:
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Sponsors:
- National Institute on Aging, 1R41AG02693
- National Science Foundation
- NYSTAR
LRC research on light and older adults has been featured in various media outlets. Select news stories are listed below. For more featured media, visit our Newsroom Media Page.
Better Daytime Lighting Improves Sleep, Reduces Depression In Alzheimer's Patients
NPR - December 2019
Dr. Mariana Figueiro recently spoke with NPR's Jeremy Hobson about her new study on circadian lighting for older adults with Alzheimer's disease.
Light Therapy May Brighten Alzheimer's Disease Outcomes
Medscape Medical News - December 2019
Focused light therapy may improve sleep and reduce symptoms of depression and agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, new research suggests.
SPHP Partners with RPI for Alzheimer's Study
St. Peter's Health Partners News - August 2019
Eddy Hawthorne Ridge in East Greenbush has partnered with Mariana Figueiro, Ph.D., professor and director at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, for her study on tailored light therapy for Alzheimer's patients.
RPI lighting expert wins grant for anti-dementia research
The Times Union - August 2019
Can better lighting help stave off dementia and even Alzheimer's disease? Mariana Figueiro, director of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center, thinks it can and she just received some help to find out.
The Benefits of Bright Light for Hospital Patients
The Wall Street Journal - April 14, 2018
LRC Director Dr. Mariana Figueiro is featured in this WSJ article on circadian lighting for hospitals and nursing homes.
Shine a Healing Light: Circadian-Based Lighting in Hospitals
Medscape Medical News - February 28, 2018
"Giving hospital patients a robust light/dark lighting pattern is the most logical thing to do to promote synchronization of the body's biological clock, and we're seeing many health benefits." --Interview with Dr. Mariana Figueiro
Why light is so important for seniors' health
The Sacramento Bee - June 5, 2017
New color-changing lights that match the body's circadian rhythms have helped residents of a local senior living community see more clearly and sleep more soundly.
Quantifying Circadian Light and Its Impact
Architectural Lighting - February 2017
Melanopic lux is the wrong metric for describing circadian-effective light. Here is a better alternative.
Could Light Alleviate Alzheimer's Symptoms?
OZY - November 13, 2016
There may be hope for illuminating the minds of the almost 50 million people who suffer from dementia.
SIL Conference session to focus on the effects of lighting on health
LEDs Magazine - November 11, 2016
Dr. Mariana Figueiro highlights some of the topics she will discuss in her SIL conference presentation, including healthy lighting for adolescents, older adults, office workers, and night-shift workers.
Everything You Need to Know About How Light Affects Your Sleep
Van Winkle's/Life Hacker- June 21, 2016
Until we evolve beyond a light-regulated circadian sleep/wake rhythm, we need to accept the relationship between light and sleep — and understand what we can do to help it along.
Five Projects in Five Pages
LD+A - May 2016
This feature article profiles five lighting projects presented at the LRC Partner-Alliance Event. This selection shows projects #3 and #4 which focus on lighting for older adults: Lighting Patterns for Healthy Buildings and the Cypress Cove memory care facility.
Using light to improve sleep, reduce agitation
McKnight's Long-Term Care News - March 15, 2016
Must read article on healthy lighting in long-term care facilities, featuring the research of LRC Light & Health Program Director Mariana Figueiro.
South Bend facility sheds light on potential dementia breakthrough
WNDU News Channel 16 - Feb. 17, 2016
LRC Light & Health researchers are conducting studies at hospitals and long-term care facilities across the U.S. to measure whether intense light therapy affects wellbeing of older adults with Alzheimer's. One of the facilities was featured in this inspiring local news story.
Enlightened minds
APA Monitor on Psychology - January 2016
A growing field of research suggests that surrounding ourselves with the right dose of electric light can boost mood and cognitive function, especially for those most susceptible to sleep disorders.
TEDMED: Mariana Figueiro
- May 5, 2015
How can we harness the power of light to improve health? Mariana Figueiro, Light & Health Program Director at the Lighting Research Center, explains in her TEDMED talk. Watch the video. For more information, also see Dr. Figueiro's TEDMED guest blog post.
Lighting Affects Dementia Patients' Sleep
Today's Geriatric Medicine - September/October 2014
"A light treatment tailored to increase circadian stimulation during the day can be used to increase sleep and, therefore, quality of life in those with ADRD," Figueiro says.
The Value Proposition: Where are the Products?
LD+A - May 2014
The non-visual benefits of light on human health are real and multifaceted, but remain largely unrealized because there are few lighting products designed to deliver those benefits. The best evidence of success lies in developing lighting applications for older adults.
Light tests at RPI to help the early birds sleep
Times Union - March 2014
A flashing mask that looks like it belongs at a techno-rave party might hold the key to a better night's sleep for elderly people who wake up in predawn hours and have difficulty falling back to sleep.
Bluish Light May Help Alzheimer's Patients Find Bearings
NPR - February 2014
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is trying to help Alzheimer's patients experience fewer behavioral issues. Robert Siegel speaks with researcher Mariana Figueiro and psychiatrist Guerman Ermolenko.
Light for Better Sleep
Residential Lighting - November 2013
Mariana Figueiro Q+A: Lighting Research Center study on lighting systems for Alzheimer's patients could help an aging population.
A 24-Hour Lighting Scheme for Older Adults
LD+A - February 2013
Since light impacts more than just our vision, it is important that lighting schemes implemented in senior residences also account for the needs of our non-visual systems.
View a list of publications, journal articles, and conference papers on light and health issues by Lighting Research Center scientists.