Brighter Living for Longer Lives: How Daylighting Supports Healthy Aging

How Can Daylight Improve Health for Seniors?

Around the world, populations are aging at an unprecedented rate. In 2015, 8.5% of the world’s population was 65 or older — about 617 million people. By 2030, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), this number is expected to rise to 12% and by 2050, one in six people worldwide will be over 65. This remarkable shift means that communities, care providers and designers must find new ways to support the quality of life for older adults.

A key area of concern is loneliness and social isolation. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, about 24% of U.S. adults over 65 are considered socially isolated, while 43% of those over 60 report feeling lonely. These conditions don’t just affect mood; studies show that they increase risks for heart disease, strokes, dementia and premature mortality.

One powerful way to improve senior well-being is through access to natural daylight. Research indicates that daylight exposure can improve:

• Sleep cycles – Daylight helps regulate melatonin and cortisol levels, supporting healthier sleep cycles and improved mood.
• Enhance mobility – Every 10-fold increase in room lighting reduced fall frequency by 35%.
• Regulate circadian rhythms – Bright, balanced light reduces fall risk and reinforces circadian rhythms for better physical performance.

Environments filled with healthy daylight can make seniors feel more alert, connected and engaged, supporting both physical and mental health.

Why Is Daylighting Essential in Spaces for Active Aging?

Daylighting systems, such as Solatube Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs), bring bright, balanced natural light deep into interior spaces, where seniors spend a significant amount of their time. Unlike traditional skylights, Solatube systems distribute light evenly without glare or added heat, making them particularly well-suited to senior recreation centers, wellness facilities and housing communities.

A diverse body of research connects natural daylight to senior health. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, exposure to daylight regulates the human body’s release of melatonin and cortisol, promoting higher sleep regularity and overall heightened mood.

This improved sleep can translate into cognitive health for older adults. A study in Frontiers in Neuroscience associated greater stability in circadian rhythms with reduced memory decline. It further linked delays in circadian rhythms with poorer memory performance.

Natural light also supports seniors’ physical health, with brightened homes helping to reduce falls that occur more commonly among older individuals experiencing visual impairment. A study of 170 seniors in their homes, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, reported that every 10-fold increase in room lighting resulted in 35% fewer falls in participants’ homes.

Case Study: LIFE Senior Services in Tulsa, Oklahoma

One example comes from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where LIFE Senior Services expanded its Roma Berry campus to better serve older adults. Working with Narrate Design, the nonprofit added an 8,450-square-foot recreation facility featuring indoor pickleball and basketball courts, a space designed to encourage activity, independence and social connection.

To ensure the courts were bright, safe and comfortable, the design team turned to Solatube SolaMaster® 330 DS-O units with daylight dimmers. Installed by Specialties Plus, Inc., the system provided glare-free illumination across the courts, adjustable light levels for various activities, and natural light without added heat. The result was a welcoming, energy-efficient facility where Tulsa seniors can thrive.

Additional Daylight Activities

But pickleball is just one example. Seniors thrive in a variety of environments where daylight plays a pivotal role.

These include:

• Reading lounges – ample light reduces eye strain and promotes focus.
• Dining halls – natural light boosts mood and even appetite, with studies linking light exposure to healthier metabolism (MDPI).
• Craft rooms – diffuse daylight supports visual comfort and concentration.
• Physical therapy spaces – bright, balanced light reduces fall risk and reinforces circadian rhythms for better physical performance.

Regardless of where older individuals seek out social and physical activities, daylight enhances their comfort and engagement in any space.

What Does the Future Hold for Senior Wellness Spaces?

As the senior population grows, the demand for bright, wellness-centered environments will only increase. Communities that integrate daylighting solutions with programs for active aging will be better equipped to combat isolation, support health and foster meaningful engagement.

With Solatube’s proven daylighting technology, architects, builders and senior living organizations can create spaces that not only look good but also promote healthier, happier lives for older adults.
Are you seeking a versatile solution to enhance your next project?

Call 888.SOLATUBE to set up a free consultation with our team of daylighting experts, or visit Solatube.com/commercial to find your local distributor.