“Happy Lights” at Ecumen Detroit Lakes Help Residents with Dementia

Ecumen Detroit Lakes has been using light therapy to improve the sleep cycles and general wellbeing of residents with dementia, and it’s working.

Ecumen Detroit Lakes has been using light therapy to improve the sleep cycles and general wellbeing of residents with dementia, and it’s working.

As part of an Ecumen pilot study, Ecumen Detroit Lakes started using “happy lights” in its memory care unit. Besides improved sleep patterns, the study also showed that residents needed less medication for anxiety and depression, and showed less evidence of stress behaviors like pacing and shouting.

DL-Online Reporter Vicki Gerdes writes about the therapy and the promising results.

Related Story: Ecumen Pilot Study Shows Light Therapy Helps Reduce Dementia Symptoms