Should All Long-Term Care Residents Receive Vitamin D?

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
J MORLEY
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Term Care

Use of vitamin and mineral supplements in long-term care home residents

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navita Viveky ◽  
Lynda Toffelmire ◽  
Lilian Thorpe ◽  
Jennifer Billinsky ◽  
Jane Alcorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Dementia Diagnosis ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Supplement Usage

Vitamin–mineral supplementation may offer older adults health and cognition-related benefits but overuse may contribute to polypharmacy. We examined the prevalence of supplement usage in long-term care facility (LTC) residents (≥65 years of age). As cognition may be affected by nutrition, we also examined use in those with diagnosis of dementia and those with no dementia diagnosis. The prevalence of supplement usage and overall “pill count” from pharmaceutical use was assessed in 189 LTC residents and a subsample of 56 older adults with dementia diagnosis, respectively. Participants were residing in an LTC facility of a mid-size metropolitan area during 2009. The average use of supplements was 1.0 per day for all residents, with 35% taking vitamin D supplements, 20% multivitamins, and 26% calcium. Supplement use was similar (p ≥ 0.05) for those with dementia diagnosis (53%, average 2.0 per day) and for those without such diagnosis (45%, average 2.2 per day). Usage ranged between 1–6 supplements per day. In both of these groups, ∼73% of users were taking vitamin D. The number of prescribed medications ranged from 4 to 24 (average 10.2) in a subsample of residents whose supplement intake was 0 to 6 (average 2). These findings suggest an overall low rate of supplement use, with no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in use between residents with and without dementia diagnosis. However, some residents were at risk for supplement overuse.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Supplementation for the Prevention and/or Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and Other Conditions in Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keeley Farrell ◽  
Jennifer Horton
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

The results of 1 systematic review suggest that supplementation with vitamin D may provide some benefit for cancer-related mortality in older adults. It is unclear whether there is a benefit of vitamin D supplementation for all-cause mortality; however, no benefit was found for cardiovascular disease mortality, cardiovascular disease events, or cancer incidence. There is limited and mixed evidence on the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for dementia and mild cognitive impairment in older adults. The results of 1 systematic review suggest that vitamin D supplementation may provide protection against acute respiratory infections in the overall population; however, this result was not significant in the subgroup of patients older than 65 years. No evidence-based guidelines were identified regarding vitamin D supplementation for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions in elderly patients residing in long-term care facilities.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Supplementation for the Prevention of Falls and Fractures in Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities: A 2021 Update

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Srabani Banerjee ◽  
Holly Gunn ◽  
Carolyn Spry
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Overview Of Systematic Reviews ◽  
Evidence Based Guidelines

The relevant publications identified comprised 1 overview of systematic reviews and 2 systematic reviews. There is a suggestion that for seniors living in long-term care facilities, compared to control, vitamin D supplementation, with or without calcium, may reduce the rate of falls and fractures; however, the reductions were not always statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of seniors who fell with vitamin D supplementation, with or without calcium, compared with control groups. Findings need to be interpreted with caution, considering the limitations such as primary studies of variable quality (critically low to moderate) and lack of clarity with respect to the type of long-term care setting. No cost-effectiveness studies regarding vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of falls and fractures in elderly patients residing in long-term care facilities were identified. No evidence-based guidelines regarding vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of falls and fractures in elderly patients residing in long-term care facilities were identified.

Should Long-term Care Residents Be Supplemented with Vitamin D?

2008 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Lister
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Older People ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Active Form ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Term Care

The Health Canada recommendation of 600 IU of vitamin D daily for those over age 70 may be inadequate to prevent deficiencies. A literature search was conducted to examine whether older people living in long-term care (LTC) facilities are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency and therefore should receive a minimum daily supplement of 800 IU. The search included the major databases; the search terms “elderly” and “vitamin D” were used. Articles primarily related to calcium were excluded. The results show that North American seniors generally consume a diet low in vitamin D and have limited sun exposure. The majority, particularly those living in LTC facilities, may have a vitamin D deficiency. Also contributing to deficiencies is an age-related decline in cutaneous production of vitamin D and altered metabolic processes responsible for converting vitamin D to its active form. In summary, research conducted in both Canada and the United States provides sufficient evidence to indicate that older people living in LTC facilities are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency and should receive a minimum daily supplement of 800 IU.

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