Elderly Suicide

7 Pages 1830 Words

f themselves, 3) they may not take their medications, 4) they may procrastinate on receiving treatment for their medical conditions, or 5) engage in other risky behaviors such as not eating and drinking until they become ill and die. Suicide can be misinterpreted as a natural cause of death or the cause of death can be undetermined. This is particularly true sometimes, if an elderly person refuses to take life-sustaining medicines (Devons, 1996).
Suicides are particularly higher for the elderly who are unmarried or widowed, those who are in institutions, particularly those who do not get visitors (Glass, 1993), and those who suffer from psychosis, alcoholism, severe medical illnesses or social isolation (Casey, 1994). All of these risk factors may lead to depression. It has not been until the last few years that health professionals and the public have begun to learn and appreciate the fact that depression is not a normal process of aging. Recognizing that depression is not normal for the elderly, we now have the responsibility to correctly diagnose and treat these patients with depression (Casey, 1994).
Some factors that may contribute to depression are mental illnesses, physical illnesses, life conditions and/or events, and biological factors. Psychiatric disorders are the most important aspect to consider when relating suicide to the elderly. It is reported that more then 3/4 of elder...