According to Age and Aging, approximately 1 billion people worldwide are experiencing vitamin D deficiency and the elderly are particularly at risk. This deficiency can have a tremendous impact upon seniors. As a caregiver, it is important to know what to look out for and how you can help your loved one obtain the amount they need of this important nutrient.
What Vitamin D Does For the Human Body
Vitamin D is involved in a number of physiological functions. This includes the maintenance of skeletal health as well as the nervous and endocrine systems. Deficiency in this vitamin appears to affect the cardiovascular system as well. Diseases associated with low levels of this vitamin include osteoporosis and associated fractures, decreasing muscle strength, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, depression and cognitive decline.
Issues with Vitamin D Absorption and the Elderly
Seniors have specific issues when it comes to obtaining the recommended dose of vitamin D. Much of this vitamin is derived from the sun. The National Institute of Health recommends 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure without sun-block at least twice a week. The elderly, however, are prone to protect their skin from direct sunlight due to progressive damage and the increasing possibility of skin cancers. In addition, changes in aging skin make it more difficult to synthesize this important nutrient.
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
It is difficult to detect the subtle symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Many of the possible signs mimic other diseases or the aging process in general. A few of these include: fatigue, high blood pressure, headaches, muscle pain and weakness, restless sleep, weight gain and joint pain.
Sources of Vitamin D
To make up for the diminishing ability to synthesize vitamin D from the sun, consider adding food sources into your parent’s diet. These include salmon, tuna, beef liver, cod liver oil, cheese, egg yolks and fortified food such as milk and cereal. It is difficult to obtain all the necessary vitamin D from diet alone. Recommended supplementation for individuals up to 70 years of age is 600 IU per day. This recommended dose rises to 800 IU per day for those people who are age 71 or older.
Home Care Provider
If your parent is suffering from any of the effects of low vitamin D intake or is unable to perform the necessary everyday tasks of living, consider obtaining the services of a home care provider. These professionals can do the grocery shopping and prepare healthy foods with the elderly in mind. They can accompany your parent on daily walks and provide that all-important aspect of a healthy and happy lifestyle—companionship.
Resources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4399494/
https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/43/5/589/2812297/Understanding-vitamin-D-deficiency
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Home Care Services in Gastonia NC, please call the caring staff at BlueDot Cares today, (704) 586-9248.
Jimmy Clonaris is Managing Partner at BlueDot Cares, where he oversees operations, caregiver standards, and service delivery for in-home care across the organization. With more than 19 years of experience in healthcare and over a decade with BlueDot, he has been directly involved in building and scaling care programs that support individuals aging at home.
His work focuses on the practical side of care delivery. This includes caregiver training and oversight, care plan consistency, and coordination with families and local healthcare professionals. Jimmy is actively involved in ensuring that care is not only well-structured on paper, but executed reliably in the home.
Over the course of his career, he has worked with thousands of families navigating care decisions, from short-term recovery support to long-term in-home care. His approach is grounded in clear communication, accountability, and building systems that allow caregivers to deliver consistent, high-quality support.
Under his leadership, BlueDot Cares has grown to support tens of thousands of families while maintaining a locally operated, relationship-driven model. He continues to focus on strengthening the team, improving care standards, and ensuring families have a dependable partner when care is needed.
