Suicide among Elderly

October 15, 2019

“If you want to show me that you really love me, don’t say that you would die for me, instead stay alive for me” – Unknown

People who are depressed or suicidal, usually feel burdened and want to end life. In the above quote deep sentiments are expressed by people from close relationships reminding the person depressed that we would much want you to stay alive than die. If you really want to sacrifice your life for someone else, do it by living and contributing to make their life better rather than eliminating your existence.

Government of India classifies a death as suicide if it is an unnatural death, the intent to die originated within the person and there is a reason for the person to end his or her life. The reason may have been specified in a suicide note or unspecified.

Suicide has a long lasting effect on the people, who are left behind by the person who has committed the act. It is a tragedy that affects families, communities and the whole of countries. With the foremost necessity to prevent suicide, World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10. This year focuses on the theme ‘Suicide Prevention’.

Elderly people are an integral part of Indian families. In India, people above the age of 60 years are considered elderly. As the population of elderly is increasing so is the mental illness in them, resulting in poor adjustment and dissatisfaction with life leading to suicide. Adults aged 65 and above, particularly men, have the highest suicide rate than any other group. Suicidal behavior in elderly adults (65 years old and above) is a major public health issue in many countries. Rakhi Dandona, a researcher at the Public Health Foundation of India, and her colleagues estimated suicide rates for both sexes in each state of India from 1990 to 2016 based on multiple sources and found that the highest age-specific rates of suicide for men were among elderly men aged 75 years or above, while among women it was for young women
aged 15-29.

Warning signs of suicide among elderly:

• Loss of interest in things which they were usually enjoying
• Withdrawing from social contact
• Feeling worthless/hopeless
• Misuse and abuse of medication
• Suicidal statements like “I wish I was dead”, “I like to kill myself”, “This is the last time you will see me”
• Change in normal routine – eating and sleep patterns
• Making preparations such as visiting family and friends, preparing the will, writing death note

‘High risk individuals’ among aged who are prone to suicide are elderly with unrelieved pain, grief, physical disability, addiction with psychiatric illness also signifies a risk, late life mood disorders like depression usually overlooked in elderly, persons losing their status, expressing their loss of confidence, facing certain economic loss such as crop failure.

Causes of suicide among elderly:

• Psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders
• Social exclusion
• Retirement
• Bereavement
• Cognitive impairment
• Decision making and cognitive inhibition
• Physical illnesses
• Physical and psychological pain
• Becoming a widow/widower
• Fear of becoming a burden
• Social disconnection
• Inability to function in daily life.
• Life crisis- Financial loss, death of loved one, major illness.

All of these can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts, if not detected and addressed.

Measure to prevent suicide among elderly:

Family/friends support:

Family members and friends can usually understand the problems and provide favorable emotional climate. Family members/friends can establish close relation with a person by caring, listening, respecting feelings and understanding emotions. Whenever such maladjustment and abnormality occurs, family must get alert and should try their best to solve their problem. If such symptoms are sever in nature then victim should be referred for professional help.

Geriatric hospitals in every district:

This is of utmost importance. Every district should have geriatric services like geriatric hospitals, clinics, helplines and professional help. Active emotional support for his or her feelings should be the main focus. Volunteer citizen groups offering confidential referral services should be selected and trained.

Enrolling in U3A (University of third age):

Also known as Life Long Learning, occurs when an adult (especially a senior citizen) opts to learn something new through informal methods. The teaching methodology may take the form of e-learning, distance education, correspondence course or any other course accessible in the continuing education mode. Few topics of interest senior citizens have are astrology, religion, history, languages (like Sanskrit), computer skills, conflict management, retirement planning, investment tips, tax computation, will-writing and relationship management. There are many who wish to learn painting, sketching, singing, dancing and solving puzzles.

Distraction tactics:

The goal of using a distraction is to survive the period of distress by doing things that take one's mind off it. Distraction tactics may range anything from a quiet task like reading a favorite book to an active task like going for a run. Distraction does not act to lessen the emotional pain, but it can take the mind off it long enough for it to recede, which may prevent a suicide attempt that is made to escape seemingly unendurable pain.

Healthy practices and Social networking:

Holistic approach involving yoga studios, aerobics centers, game rooms, meditation, cafeterias, and other areas at senior centers where socialization and exercise take place are great for not just improving mental well-being, but also for educating residents about services and resources available to them.

Elderly day care centers:

Adult day care centers can be initiated in every town, especially for those elderly parents whose care givers are working outside and are unable to stay home to care of them. These days care centers help elderly relax, chat and spend time with fellow senior citizens without interruptions from anyone. The place can be good for spending time rather than being alone at home. Combining day care for children and elderly people can benefit all generations as there will be exchange of years of experience with newer ideas – ‘intergenerational solidarity’.

Lack of awareness of suicide and the stigma with depression prevents many societies to openly discuss it. Mental health professionals should educate the elderly and their care givers by integrating the services in a natural way i.e. we must go where they are, rather than waiting for seniors to come to us. We must involve ourselves with the community, hold informal gatherings and lectures, without elders feeling that they are being targeted. Building a relationship makes seniors connected and establish trust as a friend and easier to render services.

Finally to conclude, many view youth suicide as a greater tragedy than late life suicide. This acts as a barrier in reaching the elderly, understand them and treat their conditions. Many of the elderly health care needs are not met which act as a significant barrier to treatment. Older adult’s intentions are harder to gauge, they tend to talk about suicide less, display less equivocal warning signs, so let us gauge that elderly suicide needs equal attention as the other age groups and thus keep up the theme of this year’s ‘International Day of Older Persons, October 10 ‘The Journey to Age Equality’.

By Dr Deepa M Rasquinha
Dr Deepa M Rasquinha (PhD) is serving as an assistant professor at department of Clinical Psychology at Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.
To submit your article / poem / short story to Daijiworld, please email it to news@daijiworld.com mentioning 'Article/poem submission for daijiworld' in the subject line. Please note the following:

  • The article / poem / short story should be original and previously unpublished in other websites except in the personal blog of the author. We will cross-check the originality of the article, and if found to be copied from another source in whole or in parts without appropriate acknowledgment, the submission will be rejected.
  • The author of the poem / article / short story should include a brief self-introduction limited to 500 characters and his/her recent picture (optional). Pictures relevant to the article may also be sent (optional), provided they are not bound by copyright. Travelogues should be sent along with relevant pictures not sourced from the Internet. Travelogues without relevant pictures will be rejected.
  • In case of a short story / article, the write-up should be at least one-and-a-half pages in word document in Times New Roman font 12 (or, about 700-800 words). Contributors are requested to keep their write-ups limited to a maximum of four pages. Longer write-ups may be sent in parts to publish in installments. Each installment should be sent within a week of the previous installment. A single poem sent for publication should be at least 3/4th of a page in length. Multiple short poems may be submitted for single publication.
  • All submissions should be in Microsoft Word format or text file. Pictures should not be larger than 1000 pixels in width, and of good resolution. Pictures should be attached separately in the mail and may be numbered if the author wants them to be placed in order.
  • Submission of the article / poem / short story does not automatically entail that it would be published. Daijiworld editors will examine each submission and decide on its acceptance/rejection purely based on merit.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to edit the submission if necessary for grammar and spelling, without compromising on the author's tone and message.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to reject submissions without prior notice. Mails/calls on the status of the submission will not be entertained. Contributors are requested to be patient.
  • The article / poem / short story should not be targeted directly or indirectly at any individual/group/community. Daijiworld will not assume responsibility for factual errors in the submission.
  • Once accepted, the article / poem / short story will be published as and when we have space. Publication may take up to four weeks from the date of submission of the write-up, depending on the number of submissions we receive. No author will be published twice in succession or twice within a fortnight.
  • Time-bound articles (example, on Mother's Day) should be sent at least a week in advance. Please specify the occasion as well as the date on which you would like it published while sending the write-up.

Comment on this article

  • Philomena Moras, Chikmagalur

    Wed, Nov 20 2019

    Senior citizens struggle with suicide as lonliness and isolation. Society we live in avoid to speak out situations like these.

    This is a sensitive topic well written & informative. You've put together a terrific set of objectives. The facts used to backup the analysis were well presented.

    Motive to self-awareness.

  • Suresh, Arva/Dubai

    Tue, Oct 29 2019

    Very informative and eye opening article

  • Dr Mohan Prabhu, LL.D, QC, Mangalore (Kankanady)/Ottawa, Canada

    Mon, Oct 21 2019

    A good, well presented analysis. Suicide among elderly if more due to the abandonment of old and decrepit elders by those who are supposed to provide care in their old age. Society has changed a great deal, trying to look after their own interests and consigning those elderly who are difficult to care for in old age homes and forgotten.
    I might add that some cultures, including Hindu and Japanese do not consider suicide of the elderly as abominable; the thinking is what does it matter if you die a unnatural death if the alternative is unbelievable misery and pain. In such cases, even laws in several countries permit euthanasia (by the elderly as well as those not so old). Sanctity of life is easier to preach.

  • ad, mangaluru

    Wed, Oct 16 2019

    Society in general is responsible for this tragedy. Suicide in India is very common in children to adults. In India there is a tremendous need of the hour for full scale governmental public education and awareness on this subject to address the causes, causers and solutions..

  • Vincent D'Mello, Karkala - India

    Wed, Oct 16 2019

    “If you want to show me that you really love me, don’t say that you would die for me, instead stay alive for me” – 👍

  • J.F.D SOUZA, Attavar, Mangalore.

    Wed, Oct 16 2019

    What a beautiful and meangful words that cited in the beginning. If everybody understands and digests this sentence I thin nobody will go for suicide. Good article madam

  • Leo Lasrado, Mangaluru/ Ahmedabad

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    The article is good. The suicide is preceded by suicidal thoughts.That is when one should visit a homeopath. without delay. Recourse to homeopathy will bring relief.1982

  • Jossey Saldanha, Atlanta

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    'If you love me stay alive for me' - Awesome ...

  • Jagadeesh, Mysore

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Akka... This article very use full for all life depression peoples. And very informative..

  • HENRY MISQUITH, India

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Suicide is not answer of anything in life . Remind yourself how precious person you are in life and live life with dignity & Respect. I have an opinion , when person is in depression . It can be treated but answer is not death .

  • Vishu, Udupi

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    In life be a warrior,
    not a worrier.

    Useful information Dr. Deepa. Thank you.

  • Mangalurian, Mangaluru

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Great article.

    I appreciate all the more as the author has clearly mentioned what she is the Dr of (PhD).

    Thank you.

  • Adriana, Tulcea

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Very good article . Good job !

  • Oliver Sutari, Kuthyar, Karnataka

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    This is indeed a complete article.
    Very well done.

  • Aaron, Mangalore

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Very well written and very informative article.
    An article that must be read by people of all ages and shared to the maximum extent.
    Fabulous work Dr. Deepa, keep it up!!

  • Aaron Fernandes, Mangalore

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Very well written and very informative article.
    An article that must be read by people of all ages and shared to the maximum extent.
    Fabulous work Dr. Deepa, keep it up!!

  • Dan M, Dubai / Mangalore

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Apart from good guidance mentioned above and following it, a little more about overcoming individual suicidal thoughts in a spiritual angle is worth noting.

    As these negatives are mostly due to one's own thoughts and it could happen to Elderly as well as youth, thoughts control is the need of the hour.

    How to control your thoughts / mind in a easiest way.

    John 10:10 - The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.

    The Thief or Satan is - One's own thoughts of lust, pride, hatred, anger, envy, stubbornness, jealousy or addiction(s)/ attachment(s)... One use or act on them for temporary satisfaction or gain and then looses peace, falls into depression, hopelessness, in anxieties and sometimes acts further to destroy self or others. Instead of leaving the situation in God's hand, saying or thinking, Thy will be done. In most of the cases one does his own will and falls into trouble.

    How to overcome,

    Temptations come naturally but self control in thoughts, acts deeds very much required.

    Regarding,

    Freedom Vs Slavery in the eyes of God

    Love, joy, peace, self-control, patience, gentleness, kindness, humility, godliness, holiness, charity, mercy... comes from God.

    Lust, pride, anger, envy, hatred, jealousy, selfishness, greed, gluttony, addictions, attachments, Terror, destroying good... comes from evil.

    Also,

    Faith, hope, trust and unity for good... comes from God.

    Fear, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, lack of trust, disunity... comes from evil.

    To overcome any evil or negativity,

    One need to self check their thoughts and correct oneself.

    Or simply continuously love the thoughts as and when they come to surrender those negative thoughts to God, as God is Love, to gradually overcome them.

    All four mysteries Rosary available online is a powerful remedy specially against hopelessness, depression and anxieties to be prayed from the heart.

  • Shankar, Mangaluru

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Dear Doctor,
    Do you think it really wrong for an elderly person to commit suicide?

    I think if, my age and medical condition cause immense trouble for my family, I would prefer to end all misery. I think elderly are mature enough and have seen more world and everyone should respect their decisions, whatever so it may be.

  • H. Almeida., Bendur/Andheri

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    This article is certainly, very informative.... related to the present age, where elderly, senior citizens, are literally dumped in old age, or destitute homes, by their very own children and family members..... Their hard earned wealth are squandered.... This pain, suffering, is unbearable..... most, under such circumstances, desire to end their earthly lives !!!!!!!!

  • Colin Moras, Udupi/ Bengaluru

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Very well articulated article and very informative . I hope this article is shared amongst many so as to understand the early warning signs of suicide amongst the elderly.

  • Peter, Mangalore

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Very apt article in the present
    Keep up the good work

  • Harold Mathias, mangalore / muscat

    Tue, Oct 15 2019

    Good Article and very much Informative


Leave a Comment

Title: Suicide among Elderly



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.