Med. praxi. 2025;22(5):358-361 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2025.077
Vitamin D in senior in institutional care: personal experiences
- Oddělení imunochemické diagnostiky, Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň
Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating bone metabolism, immune function, and overall health. In seniors, especially those in institutional care, vitamin D deficiency is common due to limited exposure to sunlight, poor diet, and polypharmacy, among other factors. As part of a study conducted at the Municipal Social Services Institute in Pilsen (Městský ústav sociálních služeb), the serum vitamin D levels of clients were assessed, and the results confirmed a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis. Regular monitoring and adequate vitamin D supplementation should be an integral part of senior care, as they represent a simple and effective means of improving their health and quality of life.
Keywords: vitamin D, elderly, institutional care, vitamin D deficiency, supplementation.
Received: October 27, 2025; Revised: November 12, 2025; Accepted: November 19, 2025; Published: December 1, 2025 Show citation
References
- Holick M F. The vitamin D deficiency pandemic: approaches for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2017;18(2):153‑165.
Go to original source... 
Go to PubMed... - Holick M F, Matsuoka L Y, Wortsman J. Age, vitamin D, and solar ultraviolet. Lancet. 1989;334(8671):1104‑1105. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- MacLaughlin J, Holick M F. Aging decreases the capacity of human skin to produce vitamin D3. J Clin Invest. 1985;76(4):1536‑1538. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Webb A R, Kline L, Holick M F. Influence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3: exposure to winter sunlight in Boston and Edmonton will not promote vitamin D3 synthesis in human skin. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1988;67(2):373‑378. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Naeem Z. Vitamin D deficiency‑ an ignored epidemic. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2010;4(1):V‑VI.
- Hazzard W R. Principles of geriatric medicine & gerontology. New York: McGraw‑Hill Professional; 2003. 5 ed.:1648 s.
- Gröber U, Kisters K. Influence of drugs on vitamin D and calcium metabolism. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(2):158‑166. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Tsai K S, Heath H, Riggs B L, et al. Impaired vitamin D metabolism with aging in women. Possible role in pathogenesis of senile osteoporosis. J Clin Invest. 1984;73(6):1668‑1672. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Cui A, Zhang T, Xiao Z, et al. Global and regional prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in population‑based studies from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 7.9 million participants. Front Nutr. 2023;1070808. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Feehan O, Magee P J, Pourshahidi L K,et al. Vitamin D deficiency in nursing home residents: a systematic review. Nutr Rev. 2023;81(7):804‑822. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Chapuy M C, Arlot M E, Duboeuf F, et al. Vitamin D3 and calcium to prevent hip fractures in elderly women. N Engl J Med. 1992;327(23):1637‑1642. Go to original source...
- Rejnmark L. Effects of vitamin D on muscle function and performance: a review of evidence from randomized controlled trials. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2011;2(1):25‑37. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med. 2011;59(6):881‑886. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Simanek V, Dedeckova E, Topolcan O, et al. A case study of vitamin D supplementation therapy and acute respiratory tract infection. In Vivo. 2024;38(2):949‑953. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis W B, et al. 25‑hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men: a prospective study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(11):1174‑1180. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Giustina A, Bouillon R, Dawson-Hughes B, et al. Vitamin D in the older population: a consensus statement. Endocrine. 2023;79(1):31‑44. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Dawson‑Hughes B, Mithal A, Bonjour J-P, et al. IOF position statement: vitamin D recommendations for older adults. Osteoporos Int. 2010;21(7):1151‑1154. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Souberbielle J C, Benhamou C L, Cortet B, et al. French law: what about a reasoned reimbursement of serum vitamin D assays? Académie nationale de médecine. Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil. 2016;14(4):377-82. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Holick M F, Binkley N C, Bischoff-Ferrari H A, et al. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96(7):1911‑1930. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...