I attended an outdoor barbecue at a senior residence in July 2013.
It was an excellent day: bright sun, a very slight breeze, about 75 degrees F
My 100 year-old father in-law stated that it was too bright after his cateract surgery (of 15 years ago)
80% of the seniors stayed and ate indoors, and thus missed out on getting vitamin D
Suspect: Cataract surgery ==> too bright ==> stay out of the sun ==> get less vitamin D
The seniors could have used sunglasses, but did not.
Alternative explanation for seniors not going outdoors
Seniors greatly fear falling - and the outdoor location was unfamiliar - and could have something which might cause them to fall
See also VitaminDWiki
- Increase your vitamin D from the sun by wearing a tan-through instead of standard shirt
- Many reasons why vitamin D deficiency has become epidemic