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The probability of death from a suicidal act increases exponentially with age. Risk factors for suicide in the elderly include mental illness, serious suicidal ideation, functional impairment, stressful life events, substance use disorder, physical illness, and type of social connectedness. Following depression, substance use disorder is the second most common psychiatric diagnosis associated with elder suicide. Risk factors associated with suicide in long-term care facilities are similar to those for the general population. This chapter presents the epidemiology of suicide among older adults and discusses the various risk factors for suicide and its occurrence in long-term care facilities. Also discussed are guidelines for prevention of suicide and clinician liability. Stratifying the risk severity and temporality in relation to risk factors may assist in ascertaining the actual risk and facilitate clinical decision-making. As elderly patients have the highest risk of suicide, clinicians need to be vigilant and implement good clinical practice standards to reduce liability. |
