Suicide in the elderly: how to identify and treat patients at risk

Suicide rates among the elderly are the highest of any age group, perhaps as high as double the rate seen in the general population. White men over age 85 are at the greatest risk and are the target of a Healthy People 2000 objective. Aging and the changes it entails can often bring profound loss for older persons at a time when they are least able to handle it. Primary care physicians play a key role in recognizing depression among their elderly patients and in providing appropriate treatment. Therapies include antidepressants, ECT, and counseling. By identifying and treating depression, many suicides can be prevented.