The Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Elderly

• The elderly population needs Vitamin D to promote calcium absorption in their bodies.  Without Vitamin D, bones can become brittle, thin, or misshapen. 
• Vitamin D deficiency can lead to other medical issues so it is important to be cognizant of what issues may be present. 
• Patient education is important in achieving optimal outcomes for the elderly experiencing Vitamin D deficiency.  

If you are a nurse that has ever worked with the elderly, you probably know that Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies that occurs in the aging adult. Vitamin D is critical to the health and well-being of the aging population for several reasons. 

Without an adequate daily intake of Vitamin D, many health issues can manifest and affect the quality of life in several different ways.  Vitamin D deficiency can cause problems for adults of all age groups; however, older adults are more vulnerable and fragile to the effects of Vitamin D deficiency.   

The older adult may also exhibit symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency quicker than adults in earlier stages of life.  For these reasons, it is important to take notice of any new presenting symptoms in the older adult to ensure quick diagnosis and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency. 

The Importance of Vitamin D Among the Elderly

The elderly population needs Vitamin D to promote calcium absorption in their bodies. Without Vitamin D, bones can become brittle, thin, or misshapen.  When taken with calcium, Vitamin D helps to protect the elderly from osteoporosis of the bones.  

Osteoporosis occurs when the aging body fails to receive enough Vitamin D. Low Vitamin D increases the risk for falls, fractures, poor balance, and muscular weakness. Vitamin D also helps with activation of the immune system to aid in fighting off illnesses and reduces inflammation.

Medical Issues Caused By Vitamin D Deficiency

The following medical issues can be caused by not having the adequate amount of Vitamin D in one’s body and exemplify the importance of having a healthy balance of Vitamin D: 

Disease:  Low Vitamin D intake not only contributes to osteoporosis development and weakens the immunes system, but it can also increase the risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. 

Depression:  Depression may also present itself as a results of Vitamin D deficiency and severe Vitamin D deficiency can lead to more frequent bouts of depression.  

Cognitive Impairment:  It has been suggested that in people over the age of 65, low levels of Vitamin D increase the risk of cognitive impairment by as much as four times in comparison to seniors with higher levels of Vitamin D.  Vitamin D deficiency typically does not interfere with memory, but it can affect an individual’s ability to concentrate.  

Cancer:  Aging adults may reduce their risk of developing specific cancers such as breast, colon, and prostate when they consume higher levels of Vitamin D.  Research is still being done to discover how appropriate Vitamin D levels can decrease an individual’s risk for certain cancers. 

Vitamin D Recommendations

Current research recommends those from the age of 1 – 70 to ingest 800 IU units and for those over the age of 70 to ingest 1000 IU units of Vitamin D daily.  If the aging adult is already taking another multivitamin, check to see how much Vitamin D is in that supplement before adding any additional Vitamin D supplements as too much Vitamin D can also cause medical issues.   

The main consequence of too much Vitamin D is a buildup of calcium in the blood which is also called hypercalcemia.  Hypercalcemia can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination.  Vitamin D toxicity can potentially progress to bone pain and kidney problems such as the formation of calcium stones.  

Nurse’s Role in Patient Education in Vitamin D Deficiency

Nurses have an important role in providing education to the elderly regarding Vitamin D recommendations.   

The following are important guidelines for nurses to offer to the elderly: 

• The aging adult can receive Vitamin D through fortified foods, sun exposure, or supplements.  
• Ensure that the elderly patient gets 30 minutes of sun exposure a few times a week to aid in Vitamin D production.  
• Falls and fractures can be reduced with an adequate amount of Vitamin D consumption. 
• Bone pain can be reduced and improved mobility can be noted with therapeutic Vitamin D levels. 
• The aging adult can experience reduced infections and other health conditions due to Vitamin D boosting one’s immune system.  
• Independence can be maintained longer due to the chances of developing osteoporosis being reduced with adequate amounts of Vitamin D. 

The Bottom Line

Vitamin D is an extremely important nutrient that the body needs to function properly and deficiencies may trigger severe health problems.  The combination of symptoms caused by low Vitamin D, such as fatigue, pain, and depression can easily be misdiagnosed or written off as normal side effects of aging.   

A simple blood test to diagnose Vitamin D deficiency, recommendations for lifestyle changes, and an over-the-counter Vitamin D supplement added to the patient’s current medication regimen can help improve the aging adult’s quality of life.  

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