1. The potential for elderly suicide. . . Is health care missing it?
- Author
-
Davis P, Kenarney K, Murdell D, and Zabak K
- Subjects
- Activities of Daily Living, Aged, 80 and over, Depression diagnosis, Depression nursing, Depression psychology, Female, Femoral Fractures nursing, Femoral Fractures psychology, Humans, Life Change Events, Patient Admission, Risk Assessment methods, Risk Factors, Aged psychology, Aged statistics & numerical data, Geriatric Assessment methods, Nursing Assessment methods, Nursing Homes, Suicide psychology, Suicide statistics & numerical data, Suicide Prevention
- Abstract
Assessment of elderly patients at risk for suicide, presents a unique challenge in healthcare. Assessment of residents entering long term care facilities does not end once they are admitted. Learning to identify the warning signs and situations that can precede "silent suicide" requires extraordinary sensitivity (Simon, 1989). A case study is utilized to review some of the most common risk factors for suicide in the elderly population. The impact on elderly people when they must leave their homes, is highlighted in the discussion of"relocation stress" (Harkulich, 1992) The reason why healthcare workers could misinterpret the signs and symptoms of potential elderly suicide is also included.
- Published
- 2001