Elderly
Suicide rates increase with age and are very high among those 65 years and older. Eighty five percent of suicide deaths for this age group were men and 15% women. Most elderly suicide victims are seen by their primary care provider a few weeks prior to their suicide attempt and diagnosed with their first episode of mild to moderate depression. Older adults who are suicidal are also more likely to be suffering from physical illnesses and be divorced or widowed. Elderly adults have rates of suicide close to 50% higher than that of the nation as a whole of all ages.Elderly Suicide Fact Sheet
American Association of Suicidology
www.suicidology.org/associations