Reasons given by homebound older adults living in a large midwestern city for taking or not taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

The prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplement usage in a group of homebound older adults in a large Midwestern city and their motivation for supplement use or nonuse were evaluated. Sixty-one selected homebound individuals 60 years and older from three assistance programs for older adults participated in the study. Forty-seven percent reported taking vitamin or mineral supplements, and of these 93% were taking a multivitamin supplement. Most participants received their information regarding supplements from a health care professional, generally a physician. For those not taking supplements, the most common reason given was the absence of a prescription/recommendation. For those taking supplements, the most common reason given was that supplements were prescribed/recommended.