Elderly Suicide: Causes, Warning Signs, and Prevention Tips
When people consider suicide, there's a popular image of living fast and dying young. Iconic musicians like Kurt Cobain and Ian Curtis are just as well-known for how they chose to depart this world as they are for their music.
But, suicide is far from a young person's problem. In fact, according to the CDC, seniors are actually at a higher risk for suicide.
Many seniors deal with problems like social isolation and physical illness. When seniors don't address these problems constructively, it could lead to depression and in some sad cases, elderly suicide. Read on to learn more about this important topic.
Why Is Depression in Elderly Seniors a Risk?
Depression in elderly seniors is often a hidden struggle. It creeps in with age, fueled by loss, loneliness, and chronic health conditions. As friends pass away and mobility issues progress, many seniors start to feel lonely and depressed.
According to Psychology Today, this lack of social connection is a significant driver of elderly suicide.
This sense of loneliness is often exacerbated and prolonged by physical illness and declining mobility. Simple tasks that were once effortless, become battles.
Even something as simple as sleeping comfortably is hard for seniors with chronic pain. This breeds frustration and a sense of failure.
Sadly, some seniors feel like burdens to their families making them reluctant to ask for help. Depression in elderly adults is often difficult to spot and diagnose. There's no doubt that it's a prevalent condition, but too often, it's dismissed as mere melancholy or "normal aging".
In reality, it's possible to keep this depression at bay. With effective senior mental health support, seniors can transform their mental outlook, improving their quality of life and eliminating the risk of suicide.
Know the Senior Suicide Warning Signs
Unfortunately, even the most well-meaning and supportive families miss senior suicide warning signs. Knowing these signs is key to offering timely intervention and support.
According to the American Psychological Association, it's quite common for the friends or family of suicide victims to feel it crept in from nowhere. That's because the signs of suicide are not always intuitive or obvious.
Feelings of Hopelessness
People often turn to suicide because they lose hope that things can be different. Depressed seniors may feel a sense of:
- Despair
- Hopelessness
- Guilt
If a senior in your life starts expressing these feelings, it could be a serious warning sign. However, today's seniors come from a generation where talking about mental health wasn't encouraged. Many were taught to "push through" instead of asking for help.
It's up to friends, family, and caregivers to watch out for subtle signs and to encourage seniors to share. They might feel they're a burden or worry about being judged, but a simple conversation could make a world of difference.
Lack of Future Planning
When a senior stops thinking about the future, it's a significant red flag. They may feel as though their best days are behind them, and this mindset signals a loss of hope and purpose.
If a senior in your life seems to be no longer interested in thinking about future plans and is no longer enthusiastic about upcoming events you should be on the lookout for other senior suicide warning signs.
Changes in Behavior
If someone is considering suicide, it could make them behave erratically. For example, depressed seniors might:
- Change up long-standing routines
- Reduce interactions with their social connections
- Engage in risky behaviors like dangerous driving
- Neglecting personal hygiene
Too often, these behavioral changes are discounted because they're interpreted as "normal aging." If a senior in your life is behaving strangely, you should look out for other red flags.
They Feel Like a Burden
Another key warning sign is when seniors express feelings of being a burden on others. These feelings often stem from a loss of independence and a sense that their existence is putting an unfair strain on loved ones. Tragically, family members who see a senior family member's true worth tend to overlook these signs.
While most seniors will lament the inconvenience they cause their families from time to time, when seniors start expressing these ideas, it's a sign they might need emotional support.
Their Mood Improves Significantly
One of the most overlooked suicide red flags is when someone who is depressed and lethargic suddenly perks up out of nowhere. It may seem like they've turned a corner and improved their mood, but often the change is because they've made the decision to end their life.
When people give up and resign themselves to suicide they often feel a huge sense of relief. Tragically, the resulting behavior is frequently misinterpreted.
Ensuring Emotional Well-Being for Seniors
If you notice any of these warning signs in a loved one, and you're worried about preventing elderly suicide, there's good news. Depression in seniors often comes down to their environment.
Loneliness, isolation, and chronic health problems are all exacerbated by living alone without a support structure. Anything that gets a depressed senior engaged with a community will help fight off depression, causing the risk of suicide to plummet.
Senior living communities are great for senior mental health, as residents find meaning and purpose through engaging activities and a busy social calendar. Staying active also helps keep mobility issues and chronic pain at bay.
If you recognize any of these elderly suicide red flags, it might be time to sit down with your loved one to discuss moving to a senior living community.
Consider a Senior Living Community
Depression and suicide in seniors are serious but preventable issues. Recognizing warning signs like hopelessness, behavior changes, and feelings of being a burden is crucial.
Encouraging open conversations, offering emotional support, and providing a sense of community can make all the difference. When selecting a senior living community in Carroll, IA, it's important to find somewhere that takes serious concerns like elderly suicide seriously.
Discover the difference at Addington Place of Carroll, where we provide your loved ones with the care and dignity they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about our resident-focused programs and wide range of engaging amenities.