Suicide prevention in the elderly (age 65-99).
Suicide rates by age are highest among older adults. Subpopulations of elderly adults at high risk are identified, including White males, the target of a Healthy People 2000 Objective. Several specific programs are described and a range of measures to prevent suicide in late life are suggested. These measures include primary prevention steps related to education and information dissemination, and secondary prevention involving early identification and assessment of the depressed and suicidal as well as improved referral efforts.
McIntosh
J L
JL
Department of Psychology, Indiana University South Bend 46634, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends*; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012934:Social Isolation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention