Suicide in the Elderly

Suicide in the Elderly Rate Increases in Old Age 16.9 Suicides per 100,000 146 The average age-adjusted number of suicides per 100,000 was 10.8 in 2003, but it grew to 12.7 at agees 65-74, 16.4 for ages 75-84, and a high of 16.9 for those 85 and older. 10.8 65+ 85+ Average Primary Care Providers Most suicides sought help from primary care provider rather than psychiatrists or mental health professionals. 20% made a doctor visit within a day of their suicide, 41% within a week, and 75% within a month. 20% 75% Visited a physician Visited a physician within 1 month within 24 hours Epidemiology In 2009 suicide became the 1Oth leading cause of death in the general population in the U.S, with 11.9 suicides per 100,000. The numbers for adults 65+ were much higher, more than double the rate for those 10-24 years old. There were... 14.3 1 15 Per 100,000 Every 97 minutes Per day 1COMPLETED/4 ATTEMPTS 84.4% WEREMALE 71.9% INVOLVEFIREARMS Sources: suicide.org Mehra, Gianokos, Driscoll 2012 suicidology.org By: Rhona Finkel Suicide in the Elderly Rate Increases in Old Age 16.9 Suicides per 100,000 146 The average age-adjusted number of suicides per 100,000 was 10.8 in 2003, but it grew to 12.7 at agees 65-74, 16.4 for ages 75-84, and a high of 16.9 for those 85 and older. 10.8 65+ 85+ Average Primary Care Providers Most suicides sought help from primary care provider rather than psychiatrists or mental health professionals. 20% made a doctor visit within a day of their suicide, 41% within a week, and 75% within a month. 20% 75% Visited a physician Visited a physician within 1 month within 24 hours Epidemiology In 2009 suicide became the 1Oth leading cause of death in the general population in the U.S, with 11.9 suicides per 100,000. The numbers for adults 65+ were much higher, more than double the rate for those 10-24 years old. There were... 14.3 1 15 Per 100,000 Every 97 minutes Per day 1COMPLETED/4 ATTEMPTS 84.4% WEREMALE 71.9% INVOLVEFIREARMS Sources: suicide.org Mehra, Gianokos, Driscoll 2012 suicidology.org By: Rhona Finkel