Citation

Davis P, Kenarney K, Murdell D, Zabak K. Director 2001; 9(4): 122-125.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15307367

Abstract

Assessment of elderly patients at risk for suicide, presents a unique challenge in healthcare. Assessment of residents entering long term care facilities does not end once they are admitted. Learning to identify the warning signs and situations that can precede "silent suicide" requires extraordinary sensitivity (Simon, 1989). A case study is utilized to review some of the most common risk factors for suicide in the elderly population. The impact on elderly people when they must leave their homes, is highlighted in the discussion of"relocation stress" (Harkulich, 1992) The reason why healthcare workers could misinterpret the signs and symptoms of potential elderly suicide is also included.

Language: en

Keywords

Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Depression; Female; Femoral Fractures; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Life Change Events; Nursing Assessment; Nursing Homes; Patient Admission; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Suicide; Suicide Prevention