Essay On Elderly Suicide

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Regarding Suicide in the Geriatric Populous The act of taking one’s own life is typically referred to as suicide, and such an act is not strictly restricted to any one age group. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Suicide remains the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with an average mean of 42,773 suicides occurring each year across all ages, and among this gathered data numerous deaths go unaccounted for, especially among the elderly population. This group of people can account for one fourth to one third of all suicides that occur, and before gaining my job as a waitress at an independent living facility, I had no idea that the elderly commit suicide at such high rates, with these rates being much …show more content…
In regards to this, a risk factor can be anything that may increase the possibility of someone committing suicide, and these seemingly insignificant things can all too often be brushed to the side as the elder merely expressing stubbornness or apathy. One major risk factor is loss, and any form thereof, which may set off a mental health decline. If a senior is obviously isolating themselves, or not participating in any form of social interaction, this can be a drastic warning sign, especially if the senior used to be quite extroverted. Breaking medical regimen, or otherwise expressing more of a desire to put their affairs in order should not be taken lightly. Other possibly revealing warning signs or associated risk factors are drug and alcohol abuse, seemingly impulsive behavior, increased aggressive actions or behavior, unwillingness to seek help, or a preoccupation with death. In the article, Depression in the Elderly: It 's Not a Sign of Aging, written by the Healthline editorial team, they add “Additional symptoms to suggest that you may be dealing with depression in a senior include: Intense feelings of worthlessness or guilt, slower speech or movements, decreased ability to carry out daily activities, and thoughts of suicide or

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