Researchers studied 439 older adults (ages 65-100) receiving home care to understand how vitamin D levels connect to their overall health and body measurements. They found that people with low vitamin D tended to have different body shapes and were more likely to develop pressure sores (bed sores). The study suggests that checking vitamin D levels might help doctors predict health problems in elderly patients, especially those at risk for pressure sores. While the connections found weren’t extremely strong, they point to why vitamin D is important for aging adults.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How vitamin D levels in older adults connect to their body measurements, physical abilities, nutrition, mental health, and risk of developing pressure sores.
  • Who participated: 439 older adults between ages 65 and 100 who were receiving home healthcare services in Turkey. These were people who needed help with daily activities at home.
  • Key finding: Older adults with low vitamin D levels had different body shapes (measured by a special calculation called ABSI) and were more likely to develop pressure sores. The lower the vitamin D, the higher the body shape measurement and pressure sore risk.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult or caring for one, vitamin D levels may be worth monitoring, especially if pressure sores are a concern. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that low vitamin D causes these problems. Talk to your doctor about whether vitamin D testing makes sense for your situation.

The Research Details

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked back at medical records from older adults already receiving home care services. They gathered information about vitamin D levels and compared it to body measurements (like weight and height ratios), physical abilities (like how well someone could walk or bathe themselves), nutrition status, mental health, and whether patients had pressure sores. All the information came from existing medical records rather than following people over time.

The researchers used a computer program to analyze the data and look for patterns. They checked whether vitamin D levels connected to other health measures, and they used special statistical methods to see which connections were strongest and most likely to be real rather than just by chance.

This type of study is useful for spotting patterns in health data that doctors might not notice otherwise. By looking at many older adults at one point in time, researchers can identify which health measurements tend to go together. This helps doctors know what to watch for and what might be worth testing.

The study included a decent-sized group (439 people), which makes the findings more reliable than a smaller study. However, because it only looked at one moment in time rather than following people over months or years, we can’t be sure that low vitamin D actually causes these problems—just that they tend to happen together. The study looked at people receiving home care, so results might not apply to all older adults. The connections found were modest in strength, meaning vitamin D is just one of many factors involved.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that older adults with severely low or low vitamin D had higher ABSI values (a measurement of body shape that focuses on belly fat distribution) compared to those with normal vitamin D levels. People with low vitamin D also had higher BMI (body mass index) measurements. These differences were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to be due to chance.

The most important practical finding was that people with severely low vitamin D had more pressure sores and lower scores on the Barthel Index, which measures how well someone can do daily activities like bathing and dressing. Those with severe vitamin D deficiency had about 3 times more pressure sores than other groups.

When researchers looked at the strength of these connections, they found that vitamin D levels had a negative relationship with ABSI (meaning lower vitamin D went with higher ABSI) and with pressure sores (meaning lower vitamin D went with more pressure sores). These connections remained even after accounting for other factors like high blood pressure.

Interestingly, while high blood pressure appeared connected to vitamin D in initial analysis, this connection disappeared when researchers looked more carefully at the data. Similarly, BMI (body weight relative to height) seemed connected to vitamin D at first, but this also became less significant in deeper analysis. This suggests that ABSI (body shape) and pressure sores are more reliably connected to vitamin D than these other measurements.

Previous research has shown that vitamin D deficiency increases as people age, and this study confirms that pattern. The finding that low vitamin D connects to pressure sores is relatively new and adds to our understanding of why vitamin D matters for older adults. Most previous studies focused on vitamin D’s role in bone health; this study suggests it may also be important for skin health and preventing pressure injuries.

This study only looked at people receiving home care services, so results may not apply to healthy older adults living independently. Because it was a snapshot in time rather than following people over years, we can’t prove that low vitamin D causes these problems—only that they occur together. The connections found were modest (not extremely strong), meaning vitamin D is just one piece of the puzzle. The study didn’t measure other important factors that might affect vitamin D levels, like sun exposure or diet. Finally, the study was done in one location in Turkey, so results might differ in other countries or populations.

The Bottom Line

For older adults receiving home care: Ask your doctor about checking your vitamin D levels, especially if you have pressure sores or are at risk for them. If you have low vitamin D, discuss supplementation options with your healthcare provider. For caregivers: Monitor vitamin D status in elderly patients under your care, and report any pressure sores to medical professionals promptly. For healthcare providers: Consider vitamin D testing as part of comprehensive care for homebound elderly patients, particularly those with pressure ulcers. (Confidence level: Moderate—this study shows a connection but doesn’t prove cause and effect.)

This research matters most for: Older adults (65+) receiving home care services, family members caring for elderly relatives, home health nurses and aides, and geriatric doctors. It’s less directly relevant to younger, healthy adults living independently, though maintaining good vitamin D levels is still important for everyone. People with mobility issues, poor nutrition, or existing pressure sores should pay special attention.

If vitamin D deficiency is corrected through supplementation, improvements in pressure sore healing might take weeks to months. Changes in body measurements would take longer (several months). This isn’t a quick fix—vitamin D is one part of a larger health picture.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly vitamin D supplement intake (if prescribed) and monthly vitamin D blood test results. Also track any skin changes, pressure sore development, or healing progress with photos and notes.
  • Set a daily reminder to take vitamin D supplements if prescribed. Log any new skin concerns immediately so patterns become visible. Share monthly vitamin D levels with your healthcare provider through the app.
  • Create a monthly check-in routine: review vitamin D levels, photograph any pressure-prone areas, note mobility changes, and track supplement adherence. Set alerts for vitamin D test appointments (typically every 3-6 months for at-risk individuals).

This research shows a connection between low vitamin D and certain health issues in older adults, but it does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes these problems. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting vitamin D supplements, especially if you take other medications or have existing health conditions. If you have pressure sores or skin concerns, seek immediate medical attention. Individual results vary, and what applies to the study population may not apply to everyone.