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Topic: Elder Suicide
- "Researchers and health care professionals have found
the task of identifying and implementing interventions for
elder suicide to be a daunting challenge…Because of
the ambiguity of symptoms that often lead up to that single
time and place of the suicide attempt, it is vital that
nurses maintain a careful watch for any indication of risk
factors that may precede an attempt."
- "…National statistics show that white males
aged 85 and older, are at the highest risk for suicide of
any age or population…"
- "Major depression has been determined to be the most
deadly psychiatric risk factor for late-life suicide…Unfortunately,
depression in elders is often ignored, misdiagnosed and
inadequately treated…"
- "Health care professionals have found that even with
thorough assessment, late-life suicide is difficult to predict.
One reason for this is that suicidal behavior in older adults
often does not present as a single syndrome and precipitating
events and predisposing factors are often much different
from those seen in younger suicidal people…in spite
of a growing body of literature regarding suicide in older
adults, little is known about assessing and treating older
adults who may be suicidal."
- "One tool that assesses for symptoms for major depression,
the most dangerous precursor for suicide, is the mnemonic,
"SIG E CAPS," Sleep symptoms, lack of Interest,
feelings of Guilt, lack of Energy, lack of Concentration,
lack of Appetite, Psychomotor changes, and thoughts of Suicide.
The nurse should be aware that if a patient is experiencing
five or more of these eight symptoms, he is likely experiencing
major depression and therefore is at major risk for suicide."
- "Often the elderly patient at greatest risk for suicide
is the one who has a deep sense of hopelessness. The nurse
who has developed a strong relationship with the patient
is more likely to recognize the need for valuable and potentially
life-saving intervention."
- "There are many interventions that should be considered
for suicidal patients, but the most important action is
to minimize the patient's options for carrying out his intentions…"
- "Conclusive research that provides concrete evidence
of "best practice" intervention for this vulnerable
geriatric population is limited…Much of the burden
of this responsibility falls on the nurses' shoulders and
should consequently be integrated into the normal regimen
of every nurse's practice…"
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