For many older people, a large part of the day is spent indoors. At the same time, daylight plays an important role in the body’s circadian rhythm, sleep and well-being. More than 100 Alven units from BrainLit have now been installed in elderly care facilities across Sweden, making Biocentric Lighting a natural part of everyday life.
“We see a great deal of curiosity at the care facilities we visit. There is a clear understanding of the challenge of getting enough daylight and circadian stimulation every day, as well as an openness to exploring how light can become a natural part of care,” says Christoffer Flotow, Sales Area Manager at BrainLit.
Alven is BrainLit’s freestanding solution for Biocentric Lighting (BCL). The luminaire is easy to integrate into existing environments and mimics the natural variations of daylight throughout the day. In this way, it can provide biologically relevant light even for people who have limited opportunities to spend time outdoors.
Light does more than help us see
Light does not only help us see. Through the non-visual pathway, it also affects the body’s circadian rhythm – our internal biological clock, which is linked to sleep, alertness and hormone production, among other functions. BrainLit’s Biocentric Lighting is designed to take both the visual and non-visual effects of light into account.
Alven can vary the intensity and characteristics of the light throughout the day. AutoLit follows an automated daily rhythm, while Energize provides increased circadian stimulation and Recover offers warmer, calmer light for recovery.
For Christoffer Flotow, who regularly visits and follows up on installations, it is often the personal stories and feedback that make the strongest impression. Alven is used in different ways across care facilities, both in communal spaces and more individually for specific residents.
“It is very rewarding to hear how the light is actually received. One care unit manager told us, for example, that the daughter of one resident felt that her mother had become happier. Of course, that is a personal experience, but this kind of feedback means a lot. We also hear many stories about residents who are curious about Alven, enjoy sitting close to it and appreciate the light. The technology behind it is advanced, but in everyday life it should feel simple and natural.”
With more than 100 Alven units installed in elderly care facilities across Sweden, Biocentric Lighting has already become part of everyday life for many people. BrainLit’s ambition is to give more people access to the light their bodies need – even when much of life is spent indoors.