Increased energy, improved sleep, and enhanced quality of life. These are the benefits that employees have experienced after just over six months of using circadian lighting at Hybenhaven in Klinkby Bo- og Dagcenter.
— Success. That is what we can conclude. There is no doubt that both residents and employees have experienced improvements since the installation of the new lighting system at Hybenhaven, says Gunnar Lisby Kjær, Chairman of the Social Committee in Lemvig Municipality.
Natural Lighting
Circadian Lighting is an advanced system that automatically provides the same "natural" light indoors as the sun does outdoors. The colour composition and intensity of the light gradually change, allowing residents and staff to experience the different times of the day much better than with regular artificial lighting.
Hybenhaven consists of eight nursing homes for dementia patients and is the first institution where Lemvig Municipality is trying out this system.
Evaluation
An evaluation among the employees at Hybenhaven reveals the positive results of Circadian Lighting. The evaluation shows that all employees are either very satisfied or satisfied with the new lighting. Especially, both staff and residents sleep much better than before.
In addition, both residents and staff experience the positive effects of Circadian Lighting during the daytime. Increased energy, reduced fatigue, improved mood, and decreased depression are just some of the things the staff has noticed in the past six months with Circadian Lighting.
"I feel more comfortable after a workday," "The residents are more active," or "Everyone has improved their quality of life with the new lighting" are typical comments from the employees.
Expansion of the project
On Wednesday, the Social and Health Committee decided to apply for a grant from the government's current fund to expand the Circadian Lighting to the other two residential units at Klinkby Bo- og Dagcenter, namely Rosenhaven and Kirsebærhaven, each consisting of eight nursing homes.
— When the employees are so satisfied and they see that the residents are improving, then we will continue and seek funding to expand the project. We value the well-being of our employees. It is important to us, says Gunnar Lisby Kjær.
The article is borrowed from Lemvig Municipality's website.