Senior Living Blog

Independent Senior Living  |  Senior Living Communities CT  |  aging well  |  assisted living  |  healthy living  |  independent living in ct  |  senior health  |  senior health tips

Having Tough Conversations: Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Seniors

By: Tracey Haughton September 12th, 2024

Having Tough Conversations: Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Seniors September is National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, a time to examine and break down the stigma around depression and suicide, as well as educate ourselves on how to better support loved ones who face these common but serious illnesses. While people of any age can struggle with suicidal thoughts and actions, seniors are increasingly at risk. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), older adults accounted for 16.8% of the U.S. population but 22% of suicides in 2022. Additionally, research found that seniors tend to plan more carefully and choose more lethal methods. Per NCOA, “among people who attempt suicide, one in four older adults will succeed, compared to 1 in 200 youths.” Suicide attempts that fail are also more likely to cause severe harm to older adults, as they may have a harder time recovering than a younger person due to underlying health issues and increased frailty. It is important to remember that depression, while a common medical condition, is not a normal part of the aging process. Symptoms, such as a feeling of “emptiness” or a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, should be taken seriously. Not every person who experiences depression will also experience thoughts of suicide. However, depression left untreated can worsen over time. Risk Factors and Warning Signs Older adults face an assortment of risk factors that put them at higher risk of depression and suicide. One of the most widespread risk factors is loneliness. Some mental health experts assert that there is currently a “loneliness epidemic” and seniors are no exception. Being homebound, losing a spouse or other close loved ones, and lacking or being cut off from a social circle are all very real problems that can worsen feelings of loneliness for older adults. In addition to loneliness, many seniors experience grief over lost loved ones, loss of self-sufficiency, major changes in their lives, and more. Chronic illness and pain can also limit seniors’ abilities to do what they used to, which might further compound already existing loneliness or grief. Financial troubles and insurance barriers, such as providers opting out of billing Medicare, can prevent older loved ones from efficiently caring for their physical, emotional, and mental health. This can worsen previously existing mental illnesses like clinical depression and certain cognitive conditions like dementia, both of which can further increase seniors’ risk of suicide.