Suicide among the Elderly
The U.S. Center for Disease Control provides the following information:
Suicide rates increase with age and are highest among Americans aged 65 years and older. While this age group accounts for only 13% of the U.S. population, Americans 65 or older account for 20% of all suicides.
Risk factors for suicide among older persons differ from those among the young. In addition to a higher prevalence of depression, older persons are more socially isolated and more frequently use highly lethal methods. They also make fewer attempts per completed suicide, have a higher male-to-female ratio than other groups, have often visited a healthcare provider before their suicide, and have more physical illnesses.
In 1996, men accounted for 84% of suicides among persons aged 65 and older.
Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
Nearly 5 million of the 32 million Americans aged 65 and older suffer from some form of depression. Depression, however, is not a "normal" part of aging. Most elderly suicide victims—70%—have visited their primary care physician in the month prior taking their life.
Risk factors for suicide among older persons differ from those among the young. In addition to a higher prevalence of depression, older persons are more socially isolated and more frequently use highly lethal methods. They also make fewer attempts per completed suicide, have a higher male-to-female ratio than other groups, have often visited a healthcare provider before their suicide, and have more physical illnesses.
In 1996, men accounted for 84% of suicides among persons aged 65 and older.
Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
Nearly 5 million of the 32 million Americans aged 65 and older suffer from some form of depression. Depression, however, is not a "normal" part of aging. Most elderly suicide victims—70%—have visited their primary care physician in the month prior taking their life.