Why Elderly Suicide Rates are Highest Among Others

In recent time the elderly people suicide rates are highest among other age groups. It is evident from the figure where, about 18% of total suicidal deaths in US consisted of elderly people who make up only 12% of the population. Generally we take depression to be affecting middle age people and younger generations. But little we know that it is as deadly as in young generation as in the older generation. In old age people tend to ignore the fact that they can be highly depressed and even turn suicidal. There have been many cases of suicides among older people over the years and
the number keeps on growing. And if we go by records, the rates of suicide among the old age people are much higher than other age groups. According to a report United States recorded highest suicide rate coming from the group we call senior citizens. Older men are seen to be most vulnerable to suicide in this age group as per various studies conducted from time to time.

In this post we will look at the dreadful consequence that a neglecting depression can have on elderly people. This dreadful consequence is non-other than suicide, that has been killing elderly people at a very high rate. According to AAMFT people over the age of 85 have a very alarming rate of suicides. A study even points out that the rate of completion of suicide among the elderly people is 50% more than the average suicide rate for the population as a whole. Some studies have even put forward shocking data that reveals that over 38 men commits suicide in the age bracket over 65 years compared to 35 for men in other age groups. This data is something that really makes us think why it is still neglected if it so dreadful.

Let’s face it, how many of are you aware of this dreadful condition of older people suicides that is growing alarmingly? I guess very few of us. It is the fact that this area of psychological dilemma is rarely taken seriously or given attention. Most of the counseling centers are seen to comprise of young and mid aged people suffering from various psychological problems who seek for help. But truly how many old aged people we see at these centers? The answer would be very obvious…very few. Any why is it so? Mainly because the awareness for depression and suicide has been among the young and mid aged generation, and not among the generation that has the highest rate for suicides. The main reason for this is the negligence of the family and isolation of the elderly.

Even dual suicides that mean both of the spouses agreeing to end their life together or helping each other commit suicide. Nothing can be worse and disheartening than such a painful step these elderly couple has to take being forced by the situation. The main reason for all the suicidal acts can be depression which comes from isolation or detachment. You may ask how isolation can be a cause for these people to commit suicide…the answer is very simple. Most of these elderly people in their young age and mid age have lived a life of involvement, recognition and activity. When age takes a toll on them and they retire from their jobs, the time of being lonely and detached makes them depressed. The added problem arises when their kids grow up and leave their parents’ home to pursue their life and career.

I am trying to explain in very general terms without getting too technical and using psychological language. I hope this article can be of help to understand our older people who might be suffering from depression and needs help.

Getting back to our point of discussion...isolation and feeling of neglect cause a serious sense of remorse in these elderly people. If this remorse and feeling of being worthless gets too much on the minds of these people, they tend to get suicidal. Am not saying the situation may be same for everyone but most of these elderly people develop depression only after they retire and they find themselves in a state where they are not able to be fruitful anymore to anyone. And if they are isolated or they live in separate apartments in other city or other country, the feeling of being unwanted creeps into their mind and make them seriously depressed.

You can argue here, then should the children not pursue their career and stay behind with their parents? To be rational, it is not possible…so what can be done in such a situation? The best technique to save them from falling prey to depression and loneliness is asking them to get involved in various activities and groups made by old age people for old age people. These communities can keep them busy and give them a reason to live. What the children and family can do is help them to seek professional help and keep track of the moods they generally get into. In later articles I will discuss more on the tips that can be taken to prevent elderly people getting into depression and how family can play important role in helping them to be happy and prevent suicidal attempts.

This article is first of the many that I plan to write on my blog to spread the awareness for the neglected cause of elderly suicides. I hope this article was an eye opener for you that older people are more vulnerable to suicidal attempts and they are among the highest numbers of suicidal cases. We must spread this awareness and keep ourselves ready too, to see that our elderly family members are mentally healthy and living a positive life. Giving company and talking, is one of the major things you can do with the elderly people to keep them interested in their lives and give them a feeling of being wanted. I wish we can prevent any such dreadful acts to happen within our family and around and try to educate other to do the same. So that we can have a lowered rate of elderly suicides and help our elderly people to live well and healthy.



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