One of the chief roles of vitamin D is to help absorb and metabolize essential minerals calcium and phosphorus, and to build strong bones. Receding gums and tooth loss have been found to be a side effect of vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin is also crucial for normal muscle function, and a lack of vitamin D can affect your balance and increase the risk of falling. You can often improve blood sugar control by correcting a vitamin D deficiency.

Someone with fair skin usually needs only about 10 minutes of daily direct sun exposure year round to get sufficient amounts of the vitamin. Those with dark skin, or who are unable to get adequate sun exposure, may need to take a supplement containing vitamin D. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for vitamin D is a minimum of 600 International Units (IUs) per day for adults between 51 and 70 yearsold and 800 IUs in adults over 70.

There are few food sources that contain vitamin D. Milk is fortified with vitamin D but has only 100 IU per cup. There is a risk of skin cancer with excess and prolonged exposure to the sun, but low vitamin D levels are also associated with increased risk of the skin cancer melanoma. When considering a vitamin D supplement most people would benefit from additional calcium and magnesium.

If you have any questions in locating nutrition information and to get the answers you need, please call (408) 350-3200 and press option 1 for Information & Assistance.

Utilizing this technology can help assist family caregivers as well. While this technology is not a substitute for in-person supervision, newly developed GPS tracking shoes can help locate individuals who, for example, may have wandering tendencies due to Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive disabilities. Oftentimes, individuals who are wanderers with a cognitive disability are difficult to locate due to illogical and hard-to-trace walking patterns and an inability to effectively communicate with others who may find them.

GPS technology has improved and the technology has now expanded to include shoes with GPS capabilities. These shoes contain a GPS chip hidden in the shoe that reports the location of the individual to aid in finding a loved one who has wandered; information that can be invaluable in case of an emergency situation.

As GPS and other technologies improve, options that help assist and aid those who are caring for an older family member will only become more numerous and affordable. Being a caregiver can be overwhelming. Peace of mind and preparation for what could happen may help alleviate some stress and difficulties. Continuing to explore what value technology can bring allows for growth and an expansion of options as our population ages. Understanding what options are available is often the first step to help seniors age well at home.

If you have any questions on what products, services, and programs may be available to older adults, call Council on Aging Silicon Valley at (408) 350-3200

One of the chief roles of vitamin D is to help absorb and metabolize essential minerals calcium and phosphorus, and to build strong bones. Receding gums and tooth loss have been found to be a side effect of vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin is also crucial for normal muscle function, and a lack of vitamin D can affect your balance and increase the risk of falling. You can often improve blood sugar control by correcting a vitamin D deficiency.

Someone with fair skin usually needs only about 10 minutes of daily direct sun exposure year round to get sufficient amounts of the vitamin. Those with dark skin, or who are unable to get adequate sun exposure, may need to take a supplement containing vitamin D. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for vitamin D is a minimum of 600 International Units (IUs) per day for adults between 51 and 70 yearsold and 800 IUs in adults over 70.

There are few food sources that contain vitamin D. Milk is fortified with vitamin D but has only 100 IU per cup. There is a risk of skin cancer with excess and prolonged exposure to the sun, but low vitamin D levels are also associated with increased risk of the skin cancer melanoma. When considering a vitamin D supplement most people would benefit from additional calcium and magnesium.

If you have any questions in locating nutrition information and to get the answers you need, please call (408) 350-3200 and press option 1 for Information & Assistance.

Utilizing this technology can help assist family caregivers as well. While this technology is not a substitute for in-person supervision, newly developed GPS tracking shoes can help locate individuals who, for example, may have wandering tendencies due to Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive disabilities. Oftentimes, individuals who are wanderers with a cognitive disability are difficult to locate due to illogical and hard-to-trace walking patterns and an inability to effectively communicate with others who may find them.

GPS technology has improved and the technology has now expanded to include shoes with GPS capabilities. These shoes contain a GPS chip hidden in the shoe that reports the location of the individual to aid in finding a loved one who has wandered; information that can be invaluable in case of an emergency situation.

As GPS and other technologies improve, options that help assist and aid those who are caring for an older family member will only become more numerous and affordable. Being a caregiver can be overwhelming. Peace of mind and preparation for what could happen may help alleviate some stress and difficulties. Continuing to explore what value technology can bring allows for growth and an expansion of options as our population ages. Understanding what options are available is often the first step to help seniors age well at home.

If you have any questions on what products, services, and programs may be available to older adults, call Council on Aging Silicon Valley at (408) 350-3200