Suicide is Rising for Older Adults

The recent deaths of celebrities Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain were shocking to many. How could two adults who had achieved fame and financial success possibly want to take their own life? But delve into the numbers and you’ll find that depression, from which both suffered, is an equal opportunity problem, and suicide among seniors is more common than most people think.Older Adults Have High Suicide RateSeniors commit suicide at an alarming rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate among Americans 65 and over is 15 out of 100,000, while that number drops to 12 out of 100,000 for all ages combined. Those age 85 and older have the highest suicide rate among adults.“Although this may seem like a small number statistically,” says Certified Elder Law Attorney R.J. Connelly III, “given the aging baby boomers and the growth of the senior population, these numbers could increase significantly unless we begin to take this problem seriously.”Adding to the problem, many suicides may never get reported. Mental health professionals are suspicious that up to 40 percent of suspect deaths among seniors may fit into the category of “silent suicide,” those that happen due to overdose, self-starvation, dehydration and other “accidents.”Why Is This Happening?Today’s older adults grew up in an era when mental health services were associated with weakness. Asylums were standard places to send people with mental illness, and lobotomies were a legitimate treatment. Not only do seniors want to avoid being judged by their own community, but they may also be hard on themselves and fail to seek treatment for depression. Stigmatization around mental health services can also lead to poor adherence to medication and treatment, even after help is sought.“Depression is often not well detected in older adults,” says Dr. Jo Anne Sirey, a specialist in aging and mental health care. “It’s mistaken as a natural part of aging. Depression is not a natural part of aging.”Researchers point to the need for better palliative care for older adults suffering from chronic pain. Longer life expectancies have not been accompanied by more pain-free years. Instead, debilitating and painful health conditions go hand-in-hand with old age more often than we would wish.Causes of Depression in Older AdultsSome people struggle with depression throughout their lives, but it can become worse as they age. Physical illness exacerbates depression, as does the fear of becoming a burden, social disconnection and an inability to function in daily life.Suicide notes among adults age 65 and over most commonly mention the unbearable pain of cancer, arthritis or other conditions, according to an analysis of 10 years of data by Dr. Diana M. DiNitto and Dr. Namkee G. Choi. The pair also found references to cognitive and/or functional decline, loss of independence and fear of or refusal to enter a nursing home influenced the decision.  “It is the combination of one or several of these problems with depression that leads the person to feel trapped, making suicide appear like the best solution,” says Dr. Alexandre Dombrovski, a psychiatrist at the University of Pittsburgh. He notes that alcohol or prescription drug abuse, family discord, financial problems, grief or a recent medical diagnosis can all factor in to an older adult’s decision.Preventing Suicide in SeniorsSeniors from all walks of life and racial groups commit suicide. Recent events tell us that having plenty of money offers no guarantee. So what can we do?

• Ask someone you suspect is depressed if she’s having suicidal thoughts. This helps the person talk about their pain and bring it out in the open.
• Avoid looking shocked if someone tells you he feels suicidal. A stunned reaction may cause him to shut down.
• Don’t offer platitudes or say “It will get better.” Listen, tell her you understand and offer concrete hope about help that’s available.
• Leave the morality lesson behind. Ditto regarding the value of life.
• Gently refuse a request to be sworn to secrecy. Seek support and help from agencies that specialize in crisis prevention. Seek support from loving family members, friends, health care personnel or clergy.
• Offer hope that alternatives are available without minimizing the problem or the person’s feelings.
• Take action. Remove firearms, excess medication and anything that you think may help them carry out the act.
• Never leave an actively suicidal person alone, unless you have to run to get help. When in doubt, call 911.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255; it’s available 24/7.Source:  CSA Blog:  August 6, 2018Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net