By REBECCA SCHWARTZBERG, PhD
Most people expect to lose their older loved ones to old age but not from suicide. Yet every year thousands of older adults take their own lives (older adults for this purpose is age 65 and older).
The American Association of Suicidality states that in 2018 (the last year for data collected) older adults made up 16% of the population but 18.8% of suicides. Statistics from the National Council on Aging state that those 85 years and older have the highest suicide rate of any age group. An average of one older adult kills themselves every 57.8 minutes. It is not just the young that we must worry about.
As a nation, we often focus on the young and the danger that they face, but it is not just the young we must worry about. We need to pay closer attention to our elderly, for they are also at high risk for suicide.
The Suicide Resource Center shares that suicide attempts by older adults are much more likely to result in death completion. Some of the reasons attempts are more lethal for older versus younger adults are 1) they plan more carefully (this attempt is much less impulsive and usually planned over a long period of time), 2) use deadly methods, 3) are less likely to be discovered and rescued, and 4) often have a more difficult time recovering from an attempt because of physical illness or frailty.
September is Suicide Awareness Month and it is time to bring our awareness to the danger that is present for this precious group.
The elderly who have committed suicide or express suicidal ideation often have these risk factors:
- Current psychiatric diagnosis such as depression. It makes sense to most that those who are depressed have suicidal thoughts. However, be aware that depression may manifest differently in the elderly. Educate yourself on depression in the elderly.
- Neurocognitive disorders/cognitive impairment or inhibition. Often those with dementia or cognitive disorders will have impaired thinking and this can and does influence depression and suicidal thoughts.
- Grief and loss. The older one gets the more losses they might have. Friends, family, and even significant others might have passed. Grief and loneliness might be overwhelming.
- Social isolation or exclusion. There might be many reasons for isolation such as inability to drive, loss of mobility, illness, loss of functioning, and depression.
- Physical illnesses or physical pain. Chronic pain and illness often occur the older one gets. Both can be incredibly difficult to cope with and often with physical changes can come considerable psychological adjustment.
- Lack of independence and having to rely on others. For many reasons the elderly may have to rely on others more in the later years. They can be distraught at their lack of freedom or choice. Some can feel they are a burden to others and may even express this out loud to whoever may listen.
- Feeling as if they have no purpose or feeling less worth now that they are older. Some elderly will say things like, “I have no reason to live”, “no purpose left,” “nobody needs me anymore,” “they have their own lives.” These can be overwhelming feelings if nobody helps them to see the worth in themselves and in their lives.
These risk factors for elderly suicide are ones we no longer want to ignore. We need to take steps to open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to listen and pay attention to our older generation. They have so much to offer and so much to say.
If you are 65 and above and experiencing suicidal thoughts or if you know somebody who is. Please use these numbers to reach out and get help.
Elderly Suicide Hotline: 800.971.0016 This is a “friendship line for the Elderly”
Nation Suicide Hotline: 800.273.TALK
Suicide Text Line: Text Brave to 741741
POLK County: 800.627.5906
About the Author
Rebecca Schwartzberg, PhD, is a Psychologist with Lakeland Regional Health. To learn more about her patient care philosophy and specialties, read her professional biography. To make an appointment with Dr. Schwartzberg, call 863.687.1222.