Call for Subjects

The LRC is currently recruiting subjects over the age of 65 with a history of two or more falls in the past six months to participate in an experiment to test a lighting solution designed to help reduce the risk of falls in older adults.

The experiment will take place on Wednesdays over the next several months at the Sage College in downtown Troy, New York, in conjunction with the Lighting Research Center. It consists of two different exercises, each done under three different lighting conditions. The entire experimental session will take approximately two and one-half hours to complete. You will receive a $25.00 gift card from Price Chopper or Wal-Mart for each completed section of the experiment, for a total of $50.00.

You will not be eligible to participate in the experiment if you have any major health problems, such as diabetes, history of a stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, head injury, cataracts or macular degeneration, or if you have had a hip or knee replacement. You also cannot be taking sleep aid medications.

There is a prescreening process that will be scheduled prior to the experiment which includes a vision test, blood pressure check and a test to check your balance and fall risk. You will need to be able to walk at least 40 feet without the aid of a cane or walker. This prescreening process is necessary to determine your eligibility and takes about 20 minutes. You will not be paid for this prescreening process.

If you are interested in participating in the study, please contact Barbara Plitnick at plitnb@rpi.edu  to get more detailed information about the experiment. Thank you!