RESIDENTS AT SUTTON LODGE PUT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

A group of residents at Bupa’s Sutton Lodge Nursing Home in Weybridge have been participating in a lighting research project, run by researchers at the University of Surrey. As part of a research project called SomnIA (funded by the New Dynamics of Ageing Collaborative Research Initiative and Philips Lighting), the University of Surrey are investigating the effect of different light levels on sleep, mood and daytime alertness. Researchers have been visiting the home one day a week, to ask the ten volunteer residents questions about their mood and how sleepy they feel at different times of the day. Some residents have been wearing an ‘Actiwatch’ on their wrist, which is a small device that measures light and activity levels. This device is worn day and night over a twelve week period and gives the researchers an idea of how active residents are during waking hours and how well they sleep at night. Brighter lights were installed into the dining room and the activity lounge to find out how different lighting affects visual acuity when taking part in day to day activities, as well as alertness, mood and ability to sleep. Resident Margaret James, 97 said: “Although I have a degree, in my day not many people attended University, so felt I wanted to participate in the lighting project to help contribute towards the future of science”. Jackie Tout, home manager at Sutton Lodge, said: “The residents have thoroughly enjoyed their weekly visits from the researchers. They have found it very exciting to take part in a research project and the special treatment that they have been getting has been the talk of the home.” Dr Benita Middleton, co-ordinator of the research project, said: “Doing research in real life environments is a challenge and we are very grateful both to the volunteers and the staff at Sutton Lodge for their help”. Media Call: Researchers and residents will be available on Wednesday 5 May at Sutton Lodge Nursing Home (87 Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 9LN). If you wish to arrange to send a photographer, please contact Jackie Tout, home manager on 01932 222184 prior to the event.