Vitamin D Saving Seniors in Canada?

Vitamin D has made headlines for it’s various benefits and Fraser Health, one of six publicly funded health care regions in Canada, has been fostering a new protocol to increase its use.

The new vitamin D protocol asks for a dosage of 20,000 IU weekly at residential care facilities. According to Fraser Health, Vitamin D can be used to reduce heart disease, the risk of cancer, and can be used for its anti-inflammatory benefits.

However, many residential care facilities do not have the vitamin as a standard. While many people receive Vitamin D from the sun, seniors who are not mobile may have a harder time doing so.

Dr. Nigel Murray, president and CEO of Fraser Health, said the move is an attempt to keep seniors healthy.

"The new vitamin D protocol being implemented at residential care facilities across Fraser Health is a positive step in helping our seniors stay active and independent," Murray said. "We know that seniors with fall-related injuries tend to stay in hospital twice as long as seniors hospitalized for all other reasons. This protocol will help to decrease falls and keep seniors in their own homes."

The cost of taking care of injuries from falling is an estimated $18,000 to $30,000, The Delta Optimist reports. However, the new Vitamin D protocol will cost less than $20,000 per year and $2 a month per resident.

Fabio Feldman, manager of seniors fall and injury prevention for Fraser Health, spoke about the number of people that the new protocol could save each year.

“Around 7,500 adults currently live in such facilities across Fraser Health, which totals between 1,000 to 1,500 fewer falls each year," Feldman said.

Although the residents can choose not to take the vitamin D, Fraser Health physicians will initiate the usage for the first six weeks that any senior moves into a residential care community.