The Elderly and
Suicide
Debbie Merkel, BA
Lincoln Health Care Center
Mobile Crisis Specialist
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts
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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)
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts
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The elderly are the LEAST likely to reach out to
a crisis hotline than any other age group
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- Facts
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- Depression
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- Depression
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*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 person’s ability to
rehabilitate
The Elderly and SuicideFactors that Increase Depression
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Being female
Being single, unmarried, divorced, or widowed’
Lack of a supportive social network
Stressful life events
Lack of spirituality
The Elderly and SuicideFactors that Increase Depression
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- Depression
Physical conditions and use of medications may actually lead
to symptoms of depression.
 Diseases
 Thyroid Disorders
 Diabetes
 Parkinson’s Disease
 Multiple Sclerosis
 Strokes, Cancers
 Tumors
 Arthritis
 Visual Impairments
 Medications
 Blood pressure meds
 Arthritis meds
 Hormones
 Steroids
The Elderly and Suicide- Risk Factors
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Differ for suicide among older person than
among the young
Social Isolation- no social network; friends passing away;
loneliness; loss of driver’s license
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Physical Illness- or fear of prolonged illness; perceived
poor health
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Highest among divorced or widowed
Economic Pressures- living on fixed incomes
The Elderly and Suicide- Risk Factors
Single, male, advancing in age
 Significant life events- loss of a loved one; a
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move from their home to a facility; loss of
independence / mobility; loss of health- don’t want to
be a “burden” on family; retirement
Medications
 Severe and Chronic pain
 Alcohol abuse and/ or dependence
 Access to Firearms
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The Elderly and Suicide- Warning Signs
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Statements of hopelessness or helpless/ or
about death- “I don’t know if I can go on”.
“You’d be better off without me. I’m such a burden”.
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Failure to take care of self or follow medical
orders
Stockpiling medications
Sudden interest in firearms
Social withdrawal
The Elderly and Suicide- Warning Signs
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- What to Look For
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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.
The Elderly and Suicide- What to Look For
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Loss of energy / increased fatigue
Restlessness or irritability
Frequent headaches, stomach aches, chronic
pain, somatic complaints
Changes in personal hygiene/ housekeeping
Not eating properly
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help
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Be aware of warning signs/ risk factors
Don’t 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
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help
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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
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help
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Encourage Seniors to eat a Healthy Diet
There is HOPE!
Help seniors find a purpose in life
The Elderly and Suicide- How to Help
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Medical needs- help them talk to their nurse or
doctor (improve communication) may involve
ROI
Assist seniors in obtaining transportation for
appointments (or shopping)
The Elderly and Suicide - Treatment
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Psychotherapy- Behavioral Cognition Therapy
Medications- Antidepressants
Combination
Support Groups- Grief/ Bereavement
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