The Elderly and Suicide

1
The Elderly and Suicide

• Debbie Merkel, BA
• Lincoln Health Care Center
• Mobile Crisis Specialist

2
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts

• Elderly- people over the age of 65
• 13 of the population
• Account for 1/5 of all suicides
• Individuals born between 1946-1965 are expected
  to commit suicide more than any other generation
• 30,000 suicides annually

3
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts

• Every 97 minutes a person age 65 and over dies
  from suicide
• Tend to be violent deaths
• Senior suicide rates are most effective 1 in
  every 4 attempts as compared to youth rate of 1
  in every 150-200 attempts
• Alcohol plays a diminished role in later life
  suicide

4
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts

• White males over 80 are six times more likely
  than the national average to commit suicide than
  other groups twice that of the general
  population
• 15 elderly suicides occur each day, resulting in
  5,421 suicides in among those 65 and older each
  year.
• The rate of suicide for women typically declines
  after age 60 (after peaking in middle adulthood
  ages 45-49)

5
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts

• The elderly are the LEAST likely to reach out to
  a crisis hotline than any other age group
• Elder suicide may be under reported by
• 40 or more (silent suicides)- deaths for
  medical non-compliance- overdoses,
  self-starvation or dehydration which occur in
  nursing homes, or deemed accidents

6
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts

• Fastest growing segment of the US population is
  85 or older 2 of the total population
• In 1990 there were 4 million people age 85 in
  2040 there will be 40 million

7
The Elderly and Suicide- Depression

• Depression serious medical condition that
  negatively affects how one FEELS, ACTS, and
  THINKS. It does not discriminate. It affects
  people of all ages.
• Depression IS NOT a normal sign of aging
• Depression occurs in about 15 of those 65 (6
  million seniors) no different than the general
  population as far clinical depression occurs
• Only 10 of elderly sufferers actually seek out
  medical help

8
The Elderly and Suicide- Depression

• 80 of elders who go into a clinic, go in with
  physical issues which are psychiatrically driven
• Tends to last longer in elderly adults
• It doubles their risk of cardiac diseases and
  increases their risk of death from other
  illnesses
• It reduces an elderly persons ability to
  rehabilitate

9
The Elderly and Suicide- Factors that Increase
Depression

• Being female
• Being single, unmarried, divorced, or widowed
• Lack of a supportive social network
• Stressful life events
• Lack of spirituality

10
The Elderly and Suicide-Factors that Increase
Depression

• Family history of major depressive disorder
• Living alone / social isolation
• Past suicide attempts
• Presence of severe or chronic pain
• Previous history of depression
• Recent bereavement
• Substance abuse
• Insomnia

11
The Elderly and Suicide- DepressionPhysical
conditions and use of medications may actually
lead to symptoms of depression.

• Diseases
• Thyroid Disorders
• Diabetes
• Parkinsons Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Strokes, Cancers
• Tumors
• Arthritis
• Visual Impairments

• Medications
• Blood pressure meds
• Arthritis meds
• Hormones
• Steroids

12
The Elderly and Suicide- Risk Factors

• Differ for suicide among older person than among
  the young
• Social Isolation- no social network friends
  passing away loneliness loss of drivers
  license
• Physical Illness- or fear of prolonged illness
  perceived poor health
• Highest among divorced or widowed
• Economic Pressures- living on fixed incomes

13
The Elderly and Suicide- Risk Factors

• Single, male, advancing in age
• Significant life events- loss of a loved one a
  move from their home to a facility loss of
  independence / mobility loss of health- dont
  want to be a burden on family retirement
• Medications
• Severe and Chronic pain
• Alcohol abuse and/ or dependence
• Access to Firearms

14
The Elderly and Suicide- Warning Signs

• Statements of hopelessness or helpless/ or about
  death- I dont know if I can go on.
• Youd be better off without me. Im such
  a burden.
• Failure to take care of self or follow medical
  orders
• Stockpiling medications
• Sudden interest in firearms
• Social withdrawal

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The Elderly and Suicide- Warning Signs

• Elaborate goodbyes
• Giving away personal items
• Rush to complete or revise a will
• Suddenly happy / peaceful after a period of
  gloominess or depression
• Overt suicide threats

16
The Elderly and Suicide- What to Look For

• Look for a change in usual activity-Is there a
  change in function / activities? Not enjoying
  activities once enjoyed?
• Changes in sleep pattern? Insomnia?
  Oversleeping?
• Changes in appetite that result in weight losses
  or gains not related to dieting.

17
The Elderly and Suicide- What to Look For

• Loss of energy / increased fatigue
• Restlessness or irritability
• Frequent headaches, stomach aches, chronic pain,
  somatic complaints
• Changes in personal hygiene/ housekeeping
• Not eating properly

18
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help

• Be aware of warning signs/ risk factors
• Dont be afraid to ask THE QUESTION/ QPR
• Ask if they have a Plan
• Keep them talking
• Encourage them to get help/ Offer to make the
  call with them
• Immediate danger, call 911

19
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help

• Encourage Senior to get involved with the local
  Senior Center
• Volunteer
• Contact the Aging Disabilities Resource Center
  ADRC
• Grief Support Groups
• Attend Church groups / Affiliations

20
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help

• Encourage Seniors to get check out / hook then up
  with Interfaith Volunteers
• Help them obtain Meals on Wheels/ encourage them
  to go to MOW sites
• Ask them about their faith- Parish visitors,
  pastors, church volunteers, interests
• Get them tied into school or community groups
  that do outreach

21
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help

• Encourage Seniors to eat a Healthy Diet
• There is HOPE!
• Help seniors find a purpose in life

22
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help

• Medical needs- help them talk to their nurse or
  doctor (improve communication) may involve ROI
• Assist seniors in obtaining transportation for
  appointments (or shopping)

23
The Elderly and Suicide - Treatment

• Psychotherapy- Behavioral Cognition Therapy
• Medications- Antidepressants
• Combination
• Support Groups- Grief/ Bereavement

24
The Elderly and Suicide

• References
• Office of the Surgeon General
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• American Association of Suicidology
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Department of Mental Health