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Lighting on Residential Healthcare and our homes

I’m involved with a number of projects for Residential Healthcare at the moment, so health is on my radar. Every time I speak to M and E consultants working in the sector. I am shocked to learn that they use the same basic criteria when shopping for lights for long-term care facilities as they would for an office block or a retail park. And yet, many of our mums and dads – and ultimately we ourselves – may end our lives there. That’s without considering the health and well-being of the medical teams who work round the clock to keep them safe and happy.
 
I always point to this impassioned piece by  Deborah Burnett
 

First do no harm: Practicing Lighting Design or Medicine….. without a  license?”  Essential viewing for anyone who designs, specifies or buys lights and needs to be reminded why it’s worth fighting for value over cost.  

Do no harm: the beginning of the age of healthy hospital lighting, from Cain and Philips is a motivating read too (2). I tracked these down again inspired by a great conversation with Andrew Connor, Sammie Pope, Fabien Le Dem and Sammy at the SLL event last week hosted by Matthew Walsh and the SLL.

Please join me in conversation with care professionals from the residential heathcare sector  on the 30th of June – You can even rub shoulders with Davina McCall and bob to Boyzlife (a reincarnation of Boyzone) at the NEC at the end of the month. Register here.

 

Dear Hotel Owner

I love to travel – and since lock-down, I am privileged to be on the road a lot more. And I’m not alone –  Business travel is booming – according to a recent Allied Research Report Business Travel Market by Service (Transportation, Food & Lodging, and Recreation), Industry (Government and Corporate), Traveler (Group and Solo): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2028 the global business travel market size was valued at $695.9 billion in 2020, and is expected to reach $2,001.1 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 13.2% from 2021-2028.

Your hotels offer sympathetic staff, perfect pillows and belly-busting breakfasts. But few seem to have given a moment’s thought to the lights. And yet the one thing I need when my body clock doesn’t know if it’s coming or going and I’m under pressure to perform is comfortable and adjustable lighting from the moment I get into the lift, curtains that block out the light so I can sleep (whatever time your body clock thinks it is) and a bright clear view to start my day. 

Here are five snaps from a recent stay…
1/ glarey lift lights
2/ confusing switches 
3/ searchlight style bedside lights 
4/ baggy blackout curtains  
5/ dirty windows 

Thank you so much!
Yours Sincerely

 

Swallows on the wing

Hunting swallows are an awe-inspiring sight in the UK at this time of year. I’ve always wondered how they could catch insects on the fly – and researching this post was an excuse to find out! 

  1. Swallows have two fovea with incredibly high density photoreceptor cells- like bifocal glasses.  That allows them to perform their aerial acrobatics without bumping into each other.
  2. Swallows see a range of almost 180 degrees – so they can spot prey, predators, or obstacles without needing to turn their heads.
  3. Swallows move their eyes with incredible speed – they see a lightbulb like a strobe light- so they can catch a fly on the fly
  4. Swallows perceive ultraviolet (UV) light so they can spot subtle patterns and locate food sources and identify potential mates based on UV markings.
  5. Swallows can see polarised light – so they use subtle shifts in patterns produced by the sun to navigate over long distances, even when it’s overcast. 

Here’s an article about Swallows you might enjoy – Swallows on the Hunt

 

Saturday is National Egg Day!

I tuck in to two local eggs for breakfast every day – it’s one of the most delicious moments of my day. You might be surprised to learn that they’re great for your eyes too.

1. Nutrients: They contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

2. Choline: Eggs are an eggstraordinary source of choline, a nutrient essential for brain health and vision development. Choline plays a crucial role in the synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in eye muscle function and memory.

3. Protein Eggs provide high-quality protein, which helps repair and regenerate eye tissues.

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