SUICIDE IN THE ELDERLY POPULATION

1) What is the suicide rate in the elderly population in the USA?

According to United Health Foundation, there are 16.6 death per 100,000 adults aged 65 and
older.
2) Is the suicide rate the same for males and females in the USA?
According to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, adult females reported a suicide
attempt 1.2 times as often as males.
3) Which elderly population is at the highest risk for suicide in the USA?
According to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the elder whites’ population is the
highest risk for suicide in the USA.
4) Around the globe, which country has the highest rate of elderly suicide?
According to United Nations ESCAP, Republic of Korea has the highest elder suicide rate with
72.13 per 100,000.
5) Which state has the highest rate of elderly suicide?
According to United Health Foundation, the highest rate of elderly suicide is Nevada.
6) Which state has the lowest rate of elderly suicide?
According to United Health Foundation, the lowest rate of elderly suicide is Massachusetts
7) Which states have legal physician-assisted suicide?
There are six states and Washington D.C. have legal physician-assisted suicide: California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Vermont, Washington.
8) What are the Texas laws on assisted suicide?
Base on Sec. 22.08. Aiding Suicide,
(a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to promote or assist the commission of suicide
by another, he aids or attempts to aid the other to commit or attempt to commit suicide.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless the actor's conduct causes
suicide or attempted suicide that results in serious bodily injury, in which event the offense is a
state jail felony (Texas Legislature).

What are the 5 top triggers in older adult suicide? (Mental Health America)
1. Depression
2. Marked feelings of hopelessness
3. Medication conditions that significantly limit functioning or life expectancy.
4. Alcohol or medication misuse or abuse
5. Feeling of loss of independence

List 5 early indicators that an elderly person is thinking and planning to commit suicide
(Cleveland Clinic)
1. Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce
2. People who have attempted suicide in the past
 3. People with a family history of suicide
4. People with long-term pain or disabling or terminal illness.
5. People with a history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

List 5 things that can be put in place as preventions against elderly abuse (Health in Aging)
1. Create community support groups and services for caregivers and older people that can
reduce the risk factors tied to elder abuse.
2. Increase funding to provide training for people who work in aging-related care on the
prevention and detection of elder abuse.
3. Identify ways to empower older people through senior centers and intergenerational
programs that will reduce the harmful effects of ageism.
4. Educate the patient, family, faculty on what abuse is and its warning signs so it makes it
possible for us to report elder abuse and stop it in its tracks.
5. Recruit and train other older people to serve as visitors or companions to other older
people who are isolated.
List 5 resources you can provide for the family and the patient.
1. To report suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Texas: 800-252-5400
2. For non-emergency situations that do not require an immediate response, report the
incident online: http://www.txabusehotline.org/
3. Provide handbooks of Texas Department of Family and Protective Service for patient
and the family.
4. Locate the community and local elder abuse support programs for the family and the
patient.
5. Encourage family and friends to frequently check up on the welfare of the patient. Get
to know the doctors, nurses and aids that are taking care of the patient.

References:
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/senior/measure/Suicide_sr/state/ALL

https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/

Texas Legislature, "Texas Statutes," www.capitol.state.tx.us (accessed Nov. 9, 2012)

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11352-recognizing-suicidal-behavior

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/preventing-suicide-older-adults

http://www.healthinaging.org/resources/resource:preventing-elder-abuse-and-neglect-in-
older-adults/