May 19, 2026 - Perspectives in Aging Community of Practice

 Register to join us HERE! 

Members - FREE
Non-Members - $20

Virtual Meeting 7:00 pm 

Number of Contact Hours: 1.0

Link to Webinar will be included in your registration confirmation email. 

Summary of Event: 

Title: Optimizing Lighting for the Older Adult

Proper lighting is key to everyday visual functioning and safety in home environments. OTPs assess lighting to minimize fall risk in home environments.  However, opportunities exist to expand our recommendations for home lighting that address the age-related lighting needs of older adults, lighting levels for specific tasks, visual comfort in the home, and the use of layered lighting for space with multiple uses. This presentation will provide an overview of the fundamentals of lighting including illumination (light level), color temperature (tint of white), and color rendering (accurately depicting color). The presentation will then present key lighting principles and standards for specific visual tasks and age groups. These concepts will be applied to lighting strategies for the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom lighting environments. A case example of an improved lighting environment will discuss low-cost solutions using common light sources and fixtures commercially available.

Facilitator and Speaker: 

Facilitator: Susan Giannitti, OTR/L

Speaker: Martha Sanders PhD, MSOSH, OTR/L, CPE, FAOTA

Learning Objectives Attendees Should Achieve:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe characteristics of a lighting environment that optimize visual performance for older adults.

2. Identify lighting strategies that promote task performance in the kitchen, bathroom, and the living room.

Bio/Background of the Speakers:

Martha (Marcy) is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University and a Certified Professional Ergonomist. She teaches ergonomics, research, and knowledge translation and mentors masters and doctoral Capstone projects. She has performed lighting related research for over a decade, receiving two lighting certifications, and becoming a Lighting Specialist with the American Lighting Association. She has conducted lighting studies related to quality of life in older adults, circadian lighting for college students, and is beginning a study on use of a lighted door frame to minimize falls at night. 

This event is sponsored by Connecticut occupational therapy practitioners. ConnOTA is supporting this event by overseeing the award of CEUs for registered participants.