Suicide in older adults: nursing assessment of suicide risk.
A fundamental objective of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is the prevention of suicide in older adults, especially elderly males, because these individuals are at higher risk for suicide than any other age group. Furthermore, they are the fastest growing segment of the population. The suicide rates for older Caucasian men are particularly high. Because nurses play an important role in the identification of persons at risk for suicide, it is important that they be cognizant of the complex risk factors involved in late life suicide. Toward that end, we review the prevalence of suicidal behaviors in older adults and discuss risk factors that contribute to completed suicide in these individuals. Lastly, we discuss the role of nurses in the identification of older adults at risk for suicidal behavior so that life-saving treatment measures can be implemented.
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, PA 15261, USA. ligst4@pitt.edu
Linda
L
Garand
Ann M
AM
Mitchell
Ann
A
Dietrick
Sophia P
SP
Hijjawi
Di
D
Pan
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008603:Mental Health; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention