[Suicide in the aged]

Within the period 1980-1989, 330 suicides in the age-group over 60 years were investigated by the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Essen, FRG. Epidemiology with regard to age and sex, seasonal fluctuations in the frequency of suicides, methods of suicide, pathomorphological findings and psychological irregularities are described. Theories concerning the motives of suicides, psychosociological aspects and the present conditions of life and of supply in the older generation are discussed.