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[Suicide in the elderly: collapse of value orientation?]
1Zentrum Ethik und Recht, Medizin Universitätsklinikum, Freiburg.
Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie
|April 29, 1998
Summary
Suicide in the aged stems from a loss of value orientation. Re-establishing a rich value system through specific steps can help prevent elderly suicide.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Aging
- Mental Health
Background:
- Elderly suicide is often viewed as a deliberate life choice.
- However, it can signify a profound breakdown in value orientation.
- The concept of value-free living is linked to increased suicidality in older adults.
Observation:
- Suicide in the aged reflects a disorientation and lack of guiding values.
- Values are fundamental to regulating social existence.
- This paper examines the link between value disorientation and suicide in the elderly.
Findings:
- Elderly suicide is a probable, albeit tragic, solution to perceived problems arising from value loss.
- A rich set of values needs to be developed to address this issue.
- Adequate value resources must be proposed and implemented.
Implications:
- Four steps are proposed to combat elderly suicide: distancing from crisis, fostering interaction and appreciation, analyzing value reduction, and establishing new priorities.
- Developing and proposing robust value systems are crucial for preventing suicide in older populations.
- This research highlights the critical role of values in maintaining social existence and well-being among the aged.