Council on Aging - Answers 2022 - 12

COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Seniors and Suicide
Know the Signs,
Find the Words
and Help Save
Someone's Life
Something Isn't Right
Suicide rates increased 30% between 2000-2018,
and declined in 2019 and 2020. Suicide is a leading
cause of death in the United States, with 45,979
deaths in 2020. This is about one death every 11
minutes. The number of people who think about or
attempt suicide is even higher. In 2020, an estimated
12.2 million American adults seriously thought
about suicide, 3.2 million planned a suicide attempt,
and 1.2 million attempted suicide.
Pain Isn't Always Obvious
Aging can bring many challenges and losses
- the deaths of loved ones, loss of income and
employment identity or disability and illness.
Older adults may be reluctant to burden their
loved ones by asking for help. Depression and
thoughts of suicide are not a necessary or normal
part of aging.
There is Help
By recognizing the signs of depression and
suicide risk among the older adults in your life,
you have the power to make a difference and the
power to save a life.
Find The Words: How To Start The
Conversation
Listen to your intuition: if you have a feeling
something is wrong, ask directly about suicide.
" I'm worried about you. You haven't been
showing up to watch the games or coming out
to the coffee shop like you used to. It seems like
you've give up on life. Can you tell me what's
going on? "
" Dad, you just don't seem yourself lately and
12
Answers Guide 22/23
Know The Signs
The most critical warning signs of suicide are:
n Talking about wanting to die or about suicide
n Talking about feeling hopeless or have no
reason to live
n Looking for ways to kill oneself
Additional warning signs among older adults
n Loss of interest in activities that used to be
enjoyable
n Cutting back on self-care and grooming
n Being alone for long periods of time,
becoming isolated
n Breaking medical regimens - going off
prescriptions or skipping appointments
n Feelings of loss of independence or sense
of purpose
n Giving things away or making changes in a will
n Obtaining lethal means such as firearms or
stockpiling medication
n Impulsivity due to cognitive impairment
n Increased use of alcohol or other substances
n Medical conditions that significantly limit
functioning or life expectancy
the other day you made a comment about not
needing any more appointments. Will you tell
me what's going on? Are you thinking about
suicide? "
START THE CONVERSATION - Mention
the warning signs you're noticing.
ASK ABOUT SUICIDE - " Are you thinking
about suicide? "
LISTEN - Express concern and reassure.
REACH OUT - If you or someone you care
about needs immediate help call the Suicide
Prevention Lifeline right away at 1-800-2738255
or 988. Your call will be answered by a
trained counselor. Services are free, confidential
and available 24/7. To learn more visit
suicideispreventable.org.
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HEALTHCARE

http://www.suicideispreventable.org

Council on Aging - Answers 2022

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