If there’s one thing most people are lacking in the UK (particularly in winter) it’s vitamin D.
Widely considered as the most common deficiency in the UK, as many as 1 in 6 adults and up to half of the population are thought to suffer from low levels of vitamin D in winter.
These are startling statistics that carry even more weight when you consider the impact on the elderly, many of whom are more susceptible to vitamin D deficiencies and more likely to experience further health issues as a result.
So, what does the UK’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) say about vitamin D?
A regulation of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the CQC states that it expects care providers to ensure that the nutritional and hydration needs of the people using their services are met. It’s an essential aspect of care provision; supporting the nutritional needs of residents isn’t just a “nice-to-have” for care home providers, it’s a responsibility.
How confident are you that your care home has the right provision in place to make that a reality?
Vitamin D deficiencies in elderly residents come at a cost
We know that those living in care homes are at high risk of vitamin D deficiencies. For many, they may be housebound or coping with physical limitations that reduce their opportunity for sun exposure, resulting in them producing less vitamin D naturally.
We also know that as people get older, their skin becomes less efficient at producing vitamin D from sunlight, which only serves to exacerbate the issue.
The challenge isn’t just skin deep either – the impact of low vitamin D levels in older people can have significant further consequences:
- Without Vitamin D, the body absorbs less calcium and phosphate which are essential for building strong bones and healthy muscles.
- Bone density can decline, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
- Muscle weakness can increase the risk of falls, leading to injury and other complications.
- Those with low vitamin D levels are more likely to suffer from fatigue, which can have a big impact both physically and socially on the elderly.
- Low vitamin D levels are thought to be associated with higher dementia risk – those with lower blood vitamin D will often show faster cognitive decline and a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those with sufficient levels.
These impacts come at a cost, with pressures soon quickly building for care home providers. It’s a complex challenge too, with additional issues around administration and consent needing to be considered, particularly for those residents suffering from conditions such as dementia.
A vitamin D supplement your residents can enjoy, not just endure
According to the UK government and NHS guidelines, it is recommended that people living in care homes take a daily vitamin D supplement all year round of 10 micrograms per day – that’s no mean feat!
That’s where WaterADE comes in. WaterADE is a vitamin-enriched powdered drink that has been designed to appeal specifically to the elderly to boost nutritional intake and increase hydration levels. Coming in a range of tasty flavours from pink grapefruit to pineapple, it’s a supplement your residents can enjoy and look forward to, rather than battle with endless pills.
It’s backed by science and nutritional value, so you can be sure it’s doing good for your residents; it’s also sugar-free and gluten-free, making it a far healthier alternative to typical orange juice and cordials that contain a high sugar content.
WaterADE is one drink with endless benefits. As well as vitamin D, your residents will gain from additional boosts of vitamins A, E and C, which can help to support immune function and cognitive health while promoting healthy eyesight and skin. Designed to be strong in taste, colour and smell to actively appeal to the elderly, WaterADE helps to increase hydration levels in residents too, lowering the risk of UTIs and other health complications.
Free sample pack
To see how WaterADE might work in your care home, feel free to get in touch – we’re here to answer any questions you may have, and we’d be happy to send you a free sample pack to try out our different flavours 2 sachets of each flavour – that’s 36 litres of WaterADE), and a 2 litre jug.
Flavours include:
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Peach
- Lemon
- Apple
- Blackcurrant
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Cherry