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The suicidal patient in long-term care institutions
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Institutionalized elders face higher suicide risks due to age, illness, and isolation. Recognizing physical symptoms as depression is key to preventing suicide in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Institutionalized older adults are a vulnerable population at increased risk for suicide compared to community-dwelling elders.
- Factors contributing to this risk include advanced age, higher rates of illness, and lack of family support.
Observation:
- Somatization, or physical suffering, is often an overlooked symptom of depression in the elderly.
- These physical symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to normal aging processes.
Findings:
- Strengthening family roles in supporting depressed and suicidal institutionalized elders can alleviate loneliness and improve self-concept.
- Recognizing depressive symptomatology and suicide indicators in institutionalized elderly individuals is crucial for prevention.
Implications:
- Enhanced understanding of mental health needs among older adults and their families is critical for effective suicide prevention strategies.
- Early identification of somatization as a sign of depression can lead to timely interventions for at-risk elderly individuals.