Suicide and Older Adults: Risk Factors and Recommendations

Understanding Suicide Across the Lifespan: A United States Perspective of Suicide Risk Factors, Assessment & Management

“…According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the majority of completed suicides in the United States are accomplished by use of firearms, with suffocation (including hanging) being the second leading method . Survey data from the CDC revealed that the greatest percentage of suicides among males occurred by firearm in each age group, 10–24 years, 25–64 years, and 65 years and older (49.7, 51.9, and 79.1%, respectively) , which has been consistent throughout the literature . As previously mentioned, financial stress increases the likelihood of attempted and completed suicide .…”

“…Survey data from the CDC revealed that the greatest percentage of suicides among males occurred by firearm in each age group, 10–24 years, 25–64 years, and 65 years and older (49.7, 51.9, and 79.1%, respectively) , which has been consistent throughout the literature . As previously mentioned, financial stress increases the likelihood of attempted and completed suicide . According to a secondary analysis of data from a naturalistic study of depression in older adults in primary care in upstate New York, those living in the lowest quartile of family income for the area were 4.5 times more likely to have recurrent thoughts of death/suicidal ideation lasting for at least a week or a suicide attempt compared to those from the highest income areas .…”

“…Interestingly, these results were adjusted for race, depression severity, perceived level of social support, and educational level, suggesting the importance of financial constraints on an individual's suicide risk . Perceived hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness were risk factors for suicidal behavior in older adults . How one perceives their health status, burdensomeness on family/friends, and degree of social isolation (especially from family) also play a vital role in their risk for suicide .…”

“…Perceived hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness were risk factors for suicidal behavior in older adults . How one perceives their health status, burdensomeness on family/friends, and degree of social isolation (especially from family) also play a vital role in their risk for suicide .…”

In my end is my beginning: developmental trajectories of adverse childhood experiences to late-life suicide

“…Lack of a sense of belonging may result from poor interpersonal relationships and can contribute to suicidal ideation (McLaren, Gomez, Bailey, & Van Der Horst, 2007;Vanderhorst & McLaren, 2005). Westefeld et al (2014) suggest that older adults with interpersonal difficulties may perceive themselves as having less social support, which may lead to suicidal behavior. In this regard both Durkheim's Theory of Suicide (Durkheim, 1951) as well as the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (Van Orden et al, 2010) strongly implicate social disconnectedness at the core of suicidal behavior.…”