Research Paper On Depression And Suicide In The Elderly

Depression is one of the most recurrently investigated psychological disorders within the area of medical R&D (Montorio & Izal, 1996). A number of exhaustive researches have been carried out to study its symptoms and impacts on different patients belonging to different personal and professional attributes and most of these researchers depicted that depression in the elderly people is very frequent and in spite of number of researches in this context, it is often undiagnosed or untreated. To add to this jeopardy, it has also been estimated that only 10% out of the total depressed elderly individuals receive proper diagnosis and treatment (Holroyd et al, 2000). And for that reason, an authentic

Elderly adults make up only 12% of the U.S. population, but account for over 18% of all suicide deaths which is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States (McQueen, 2012). Older adults, especially men 84 years and older, have the highest rates of suicide of any age group (McQueen, 2012).There are many elderly people who take their lives either by their own hands or with the help of a physician or loved one each year. Studies have shown this is due to depression, pain, grief, loneliness, alcoholism and career stress (McQueen, 2012). Fortunately, these are all treatable conditions that could be easily recognized by physicians and family members. Having experienced a couple of suicides by extended elderly

Suicide and dementia are two rising phenomena’s in society today. Dementia is seen in older citizens, and “the prevalence of severe dementia can reasonably be estimated as approximately 4% in persons over age 65” (DEMENTIA BOOKp.17). Suicide is seen among teens, and people suffering from mental illness. Now, there is a correlation between suicide and dementia starting. Suicide is “death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with an intent to die as a result of the behavior” (Violence Prevention). People who commit suicide think that there is no reason for them to be alive, and that no one cares about them. They feel they are better off dead. Some people have suicidal ideations, where they think about taking their life, and some attempt

However, suicide among baby boomers did not just occur spontaneously. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reveals that the baby boomers had higher suicide rates in their teen years as well (Jaslow). This means that not only are the boomers deaths being ignored currently, but have been ignored throughout their lifetime. The shunning of this generation’s misfortune has gone on for far too long. It should be encouraged for boomers to get the help they need, or have needed.

Suicide has been a growing issue over the years, gaining more attention over time. As of 2014, it was reported that 42,773 Americans had taken their own lives, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death (CDC, 2014). Attention has always been held heavily on young adults, although statistics show that the populations with the highest rate of suicide of Americans are ages 85 and older [19.3%] and 45-64 years of age [19.2%] (AFSP, 2014). Suicidal behaviors, such as suicidal ideations and attempts, as well as death by suicide, often occur more frequently in rural areas, compared to urban areas (Cukrowicz & Hirsch, 2014). Research also suggests that risk factors, such as depression and other mental illnesses are prevalent amongst these groups and can be treated as preventative measures (Cukrowicz & Hirsch, 2014). Research has also shown that there is a strong correlation of elderly suicides and the use of firearms (AFSP, 2014). Researchers suggest that physicians who work with elderly adults should be well educated in geriatric mental health procedures as well as their patient’s accessibility of firearms. This is especially important when working with patients in rural areas, as their accessibility to firearms is much higher, therefore having a greater risk of suicide by a firearm (Kim, et al., 2011). All in all, statistics and researchers agree that more attention should be put on elderly adults who may have a

This week the reading focused greatly on mood disorders and suicide. What I found most interesting, was the likelihood of elderly individuals to commit suicide. I also found the videos on Moodle to be very informing and interesting. According to our text, 16.3 out of every 100,000 people over the age of 75 will commit suicide. The experiences that elderly people have are much different than other age groups. Most will lose friends and family members, become ill, lose their societal status, and feel a loss of control in regards of their life. These experiences may lead to feelings such as loneliness, hopelessness, and even burdensomeness. This results in increased suicide tendencies. An article I have found states that suicidal factors in the

Suicide is becoming a leading health problem in Australia. In 2014 alone, 2,864 people died from suicide, with males equating to 75% of that figure (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). What is surprising out of these figures is that the highest age specific suicide rate was observed in males aged 85 years or older (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). Suicide is seen to be increasing with age, as evident over the last 10 years where males aged 75 years or older have displayed the second highest rates for suicide (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). Due to increasing human longevity and a growing aging population, the severity of suicide for this age group is likely to increase in the coming years. This essay will focus on the contributing

Spreading awareness about elderly suicide is important because society should not turn a blind eye on the issue just because they are old. There is a huge disparity between what people feel towards suicides in relation to age. First of all, people believe that being old is a negative aspect so suicide can be a rational thought. On the other hand, people are disheartened when younger people end their lives because they feel that they have more to lose As a matter of fact, rational suicide is a term that is especially popular with older people. In a way, it works as a final exit for the elderly (Humphry, 1992). Rational or assisted suicide is usually associated with patients who have unbearable constant pain because of their sickness. In fact, about two-thirds of Americans are in favor of assisted suicide because they think it is the best option for those who are old (Moody & Sasser, 2010). This has a lot of moral implications because it shows a lazy society who just encourages depression rather than finding a way to fix the problem.

Elderly Suicide strikes my interest because of the growing number of death rates among the elderlies and why the Government does not shift their focus on providing sensible assistance to the Elderlies. Moreover, I am curious to know why it has been such an issue of the suicidal rates of the elderlies when they will pass away anyway. Lastly, I wanted to know whether the government is ‘assisting’ the elderlies by heart or just for the social

As a future nurse, I would be definitely dealing with the issues of elderly suicide and how to

The United States is highlighted by the rapid, increasing of the older population. According to the video Living Old, those who are aged 85 and older are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population (Chapter 1). In the 30 years after the video was made it was predicted that the number of people aged 65 and older will double, making up twenty percent of the U.S. population (Living Old Chapter 1). According to the video, the population is changing in this way because medical advances have made doctors improved at treating illnesses that in the past have killed younger people (Living Old Chapter 1). This is causing older adults to require more ongoing

Suicide attempts often are more lethal in older adults. Older people who attempt suicide often are more frail, more isolated, more likely to have a plan, and are more determined to die than younger people (Administration on Aging [AOA] and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2012). We know that as people age, they often have chronic medical conditions that can significantly limit function or life expectancy.

Whoops I already touched on this a little bit in our last post, so sorry group if I sound like a broken record.

It has been said that more elderly people are committing suicide because of depression, Mental illness and being unhappy with their lives. Mental illness in elderly people can be associated with a terminal disease and the pain that is associated with that disease. Diseases such as cancer, HIV, Hepatitis etc. are some of the reasons why some elderly people develop mental illness and become depressed. Older men are at higher risk then older women when it comes to committing suicide. White males 85 years and older are at the greatest risk of committing suicide among the elderly. Elderly people who are at risk of committing suicide are those who suffer with depression which can turn into clinical depression. There are different stages of depression.

The factors that associates with the likelihood of suicide in the elderly may involve: family history of suicide, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, medical issues, and pain (AFSP, 2014). Many of the relationships factors that the elderly have to deal with on a frequent basis can cause them to feel a sense of isolation, helplessness, and loneliness. Medical complications can lead to the elderly consideration of attempting suicide. They may feel that to lessen the burden on their family or even to end the pain that they may experience; the only way is to resort to suicide. Pain is a very difficult circumstance for elderly especially if it is a constant deterrent in limiting them psychologically, emotionally, and psychically. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2014) shows that a vast majority of people with psychological disorders may find that suicidal tendencies are high. For instance, in the study about suicidal tendencies, Runeson (2003) found that a family history of suicide is twice as high in occurrence. In other words, people are at a certain level predisposed to attempt suicide.