Vitamin D study
Researchers from the University of Sydney, as part of the Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre research program, examined the implementation of vitamin D supplements in Australian residential aged care facilities to reduce falls.
As part of the study a number of educational resources have been made available to educate relevant groups including GPs and pharmacists, aged care facility staff, residents and their families to support and facilitate the uptake of vitamin D supplement use by residents. Resources specific to each of these groups can be found under each relevant link at the bottom of this page.
See the below links for more information about the ViDAus study and why vitamin D supplements are important to prevent falls for residents in aged care homes.
Final Report
Resources
Information for aged care facility managers and staff
Residential aged care homes have a responsibility to ensure strategies are adopted to minimise the risk of residents sustaining a fall.
Educational poster for your facility
Information for residents and families
Older people living in aged care homes are at high risk of falls. Having a fall or sustaining an injury from a fall can have serious consequences on health and quality of life. Older people are also at high risk of vitamin D deficiency.
There is strong evidence for the use of vitamin D supplements for older people living in aged care homes to reduce falls. It is recommended that residents and their families discuss vitamin D supplements with their GP to determine whether vitamin D supplements are suitable for them.
Osteoporosis Australia Consumer Guide on Vitamin D:
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Information for GPs and pharmacists
Clinical Reference Tool for Falls Prevention
Osteoporosis Australia Medical Guide
Poster for your practice
Brochure for your patients
Fact Sheet on Vitamin D Testing
Vitamin D and calcium supplementation guide
Guidelines and position statements
Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in HealthCare Best Practice Guidelines
RACGP Osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and management in postmenopausal women and men over 50 years of age guidelines (2nd Edition)
Cochrane Review on Interventions for preventing falls in older people in care facilities and hospitals
Osteoporosis Australia Position Papers
Professional Development Opportunities
Falls Prevention Evidence: A close look at the Cochrane reviews
Also see Australian Ageing Agenda July-August 2019 story