When Is Vitamin C Especially Important for the Elderly?

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Importance of Vitamin C in Seniors in Winnipeg, MB

The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C depends on a senior’s individual health status. It can vary among individuals, but a lot of vitamin C is usually not necessary unless seniors have certain medical conditions or specific lifestyle factors are involved. Here are some reasons your aging loved one may need more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

Poor Skin Condition

Vitamin C is thought to play a significant role in healthy skin. If your loved one has skin conditions such as decubitus or stasis ulcers or develops frequent skin tears, increasing vitamin C levels may help. Vitamin C enhances collagen production and may heal bedsores. 
Consuming vitamin C–rich foods such as citrus fruit, spinach, potatoes, kale, and broccoli can increase vitamin C stores in the blood. If your senior loved one is unable to consume enough vitamin C from food because of dietary restrictions or digestive disorders, talk to his or her physician about supplementation. 
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support and information when it comes to getting proper nutrition. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them obtain this goal. Families can trust Winnipeg at-home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living a longer and healthier life.

Daily Aspirin Consumption

Although an occasional aspirin for pain or fever may not warrant increased amounts of vitamin C, taking aspirin on a daily basis can significantly inhibit the body’s ability to absorb vitamin C. If your loved one takes an aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack or stroke and doesn’t eat enough vitamin C–rich foods, he or she may be at risk for developing scurvy. This disorder refers to extremely low serum levels of vitamin C and can cause muscle weakness, oral hemorrhage, suppressed immunity, and severe bone pain. If your loved one takes aspirin to prevent a cardiac or cerebral event, he or she shouldn’t stop taking it unless approved by a physician. 
Family caregivers need to pay attention to their health needs too, and that involves self-care and taking time to nurture their own wellbeing. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Winnipeg, MB, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

High Coffee Consumption

Like aspirin, coffee can inhibit the absorption of essential nutrients such as iron and vitamin C. Aging adults who are habitual coffee or tea drinkers may need to consume more vitamin C to prevent a deficiency. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron from foods, and when vitamin C absorption is inhibited by excessive coffee intake, your loved one may develop iron-deficiency anemia. If your loved one experiences shortness of breath, weakness, or dizziness or appears pale, make an appointment with the doctor to determine if anemia is present.

Diuretics

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it leaves the body through urination. Diuretics are medications used in the treatment of high blood pressure, and one of the most significant side effects of diuretic medication is frequent urination. Urinating often could cause your loved one to lose nutrients, including vitamin C, and he or she may need more than the recommended daily allowance as a result. If your loved one experiences frequent urination as a result of diuretics or a health condition, talk to the doctor about getting evaluated for nutritional deficiencies.
A trained professional caregiver can be an ideal resource when you’re trying to help your loved one lead a healthier lifestyle. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care services. Winnipeg families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. Call us today at (204) 489-6000 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.

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