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Related Experiment Videos

Rational Suicide, Euthanasia, and the Very Old: Two Case Reports.

Anne Pamela Frances Wand1, Carmelle Peisah2, Brian Draper3

  • 1Older Persons' Mental Health Service, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia; Academic Department for Aged Care Psychiatry, Eastern Suburbs Mental Health Service, Randwick, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Case Reports in Psychiatry
|November 12, 2016
PubMed
Summary

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Elderly suicide is a public health concern. Understanding older adults

Area of Science:

  • Geriatrics
  • Public Health
  • Mental Health

Background:

  • Suicide in the elderly is a significant public health issue.
  • Limited understanding exists regarding older adults' death wishes, euthanasia requests, and their link to suicide attempts.
  • Palliative care focuses on holistic care without hastening death, but the needs of elderly individuals with chronic conditions and reduced quality of life require further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the complex reasons behind elderly individuals' wishes to die and requests for euthanasia.
  • To examine the intersection of these wishes with suicide attempts in the older population.
  • To highlight the importance of individual narratives and biopsychosocial approaches in managing such complex cases.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Case study analysis of two elderly individuals who attempted suicide.
  • Exploration of their expressed preferences for euthanasia.
  • Assessment for underlying mood or anxiety disorders.

    • Main Results:

    • The presented cases illustrate the complexity of death wishes and euthanasia requests in older adults.
    • The absence of diagnosed mood or anxiety disorders in these cases underscores the need for a broader understanding.
    • Individual narratives and comprehensive biopsychosocial formulations are crucial for management.

    Conclusions:

    • Elderly individuals' wishes to die and requests for euthanasia are complex and not solely linked to mental health disorders.
    • Understanding the individual's narrative and employing a holistic biopsychosocial approach is essential for effective management.
    • Further research is needed to address the unique challenges faced by the elderly regarding end-of-life wishes and suicide prevention.