SIEC Alert

Suicide Among the Aged

Risk Factor for Elderly Suicide

Can Elderly Suicide be Prevented?

Suicide Among The Aged

There is a common perception that suicide rates are highest among adolescents. However, statistics show that elderly people, especially males, have rates that are higher than those among teens and among the population as a whole. For example, crude rates for Canadian males show the following:

(*rate per 100,000 population, raw data from Statistics Canada, 1995)

In the United States, the ratio of completed to attempted suicide is 1:4 among the elderly, compared to 1:25 in the general population (McIntosh, 1997). Reasons for this include (Conwell, 1995: 563):

• Frailty of elderly - injuries may cause more physical damage and their recuperative abilities may be less.

• The social isolation of many elders leaves less opportunity for rescue.

• Elderly people tend to use more lethal methods and they often have stronger suicidal intent.

• Causes of death may be less rigorously investigated in older persons (Moore, 1998).

Risk Factors For Elderly Suicide

• Increasing age

• Male gender, especially for Caucasians

• Being single or divorced, or living alone

• Social isolation / closed family systems which do not encourage discussion or help-seeking

• Poor physical health or the belief that one is still ill

• Hopelessness and helplessness

• Loss of health, status, social roles, independence, significant relationships

• Depression

• Fear of institutionalization

• Ageism

Can Elderly Suicide Be Prevented?

Many people, including some health care professionals, argue that suicidal ideation and behaviours in the elderly cannot be treated. These arguments include (Perkins & Tice, 1994: 444):

• Old people are rigid in their beliefs and cannot or will not change.

• The elderly lack the necessary energy for intervention.

• Old people are near death and thus do not need attention.

• The suicides of old people are rational, philosophical decisions.

Fortunately, conventional therapies can be as effective for the elderly as any other population. In addition, there are many societal initiatives that can lessen the number of elderly suicides, including ("The Choice," 1996: 3, 5):

• The provisions of economic supports for seniors including adequate pensions, affordable housing and health care.

• Better preparation for retirement including the development of interests and support networks outside of the workplace.

Other strategies that can help reduce the incidence of elderly suicide:

• Education about the warning signs of depression and suicide. One study found that well over 75% of older people who completed suicide had had recent contact with a physician. (Perkins & Tice:447).

• Recognition of the value of elderly persons and greater respect for their experience and knowledge.

• Assisting older persons to find/maintain/renew meaning and purpose-in-life (Moore 1998).

Thank you to Dr. Sharon Moore, Program Chair, Centre for Health Studies, Mount Royal College for reviewing and making suggestions to improve this Alert.