Sunlight and health: attitudes of older people living in intermediate care facilities in southern Australia.
Older people have a high prevalence of falls and fractures, partly due to vitamin D deficiency. Sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, but many older people living in intermediate care facilities have inadequate sunlight exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the sun exposure practices and attitudes to sunlight in this population. Fifty-seven older residents of intermediate care facilities in Sydney, Australia were interviewed to determine their sun exposure practices, their views on sunlight and health and whether these have changed over their lives, factors affecting sunlight exposure and their knowledge of vitamin D. Sixty percent of the participants preferred to be outdoors, despite more than 92% believing that sunlight was healthy. In their youth however, almost 90% had preferred to be outdoors. Poor health, physical constraints and a sense of lack of ownership of outdoor spaces were barriers to sunlight exposure. Improved physical access, more outdoor leisure activities and promotion of greater autonomy may improve safe and appropriate sunlight exposure in this population.
Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Centre for Disability Studies, PO Box 6, Ryde NSW 1680, Australia. seetad@med.usyd.edu.au
Seeta
S
Durvasula
Cindy
C
Kok
Philip N
PN
Sambrook
Robert G
RG
Cumming
Stephen R
SR
Lord
Lynette M
LM
March
Rebecca S
RS
Mason
Markus J
MJ
Seibel
Judy M
JM
Simpson
Ian D
ID
Cameron
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D012112:Residential Facilities; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013472:Sunlight; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology