Elderly suicide is becoming a major problem in today's society. A case study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January of 1996, proposed that the suicide rates among people age 65 and older has increased since 1980 (Devons, 1996). A study conducted in 1991 showed the suicide rates among the elderly were also 50% higher then those among younger people. Many people in society, however, still tend to devote much of their attention toward younger people who commit suicide (Futurist, 1991). Something needs to be done to get people to focus on elderly suicides, to save the lives of our grandparents and great-grandparents. After all, they hold the key to our future, with their good advice and words of wisdom. .
Elderly people have a greater desire to die and to insure that the act will be fatal. Compared to younger people who attempt suicide, elderly people are four times more likely to be successful (Leo, 2001). Most often, elderly people who attempt suicide truly want to die, while younger people who attempt suicide are usually calling for help or attempt the act as a way to manipulate their family and/or friends. Elderly people are not angry, nor do they want revenge. They simply want to leave the world and feel the peace that death will give them (Glass, 1993).
Most elderly suicides take place at home while they are alone. Suicide notes may be left behind for family members, providing information regarding what to do with remaining finances, and information regarding his/her burial wishes. It usually gives no clue, however, as to why the person committed suicide (Leo, 2001). .
The number of suicides committed by the elderly may be greatly underestimated for a number of reasons. Some being: 1) they may overdose on prescribed medications which may go unreported, 2) they may commit what Devons referred to as "chronic" or "passive" suicide, which is when a person loses the will to live and stops taking care of themselves, 3) they may not take their medications, 4) they may procrastinate on receiving treatment for their medical conditions, or 5) engage in other risky behaviors such as not eating and drinking until they become ill and die.
