Suicides Among Older Adults In Long-Term Care Spark Concern Among Healthcare Professionals

In a nearly 4,000-word piece, Kaiser Health News (4/9, Bailey, Aleccia) reports that as suicide rates rise across the US, “such deaths among older adults – including the 2.2 million who live in long-term care settings – are often overlooked.” The piece says “a KHN analysis of new data from the University of Michigan suggests that hundreds of suicides by older adults each year – nearly one per day – are related to long-term care.” The piece also states, “Thousands more people may be at risk in those settings, where up to a third of residents report suicidal thoughts, research shows.”

PBS NewsHour (4/9, Wise, Carlson, Nagy) provides the transcript of a recent program reporting in partnership with Kaiser Health News on the risks of suicide among senior citizens. The program featured Julie Rickard, a psychologist at a crisis stabilization center in Wenatchee, Washington, who said that with regard to treatment in long-term care, it is important to consider what professionals are “doing on the backside to make sure that the person is transitioning well when they are going into long-term care, that we are doing the things to support them and stay connected.”

Related Links:

— “Lethal Plans: When Seniors Turn To Suicide , “Melissa Bailey and JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News, April 9, 2019

Posted in In The News.