Question

Nursing homes and assisted suicide

Answer 1

Risk factors for suicide among nursing home residents include having diagnosed depression, declining physical health, and being within the first 12 months of residency. This suggests adjustment—to the onset of health problems or to life in a nursing home—can be problematic.

More than half of nursing home residents suffer symptoms of depression, Describing the most common methods of suicide; hanging or fall from height.

LTC (long-term care )may be an important point of engagement in suicide prevention.

Mental health issues including mood disorders were found to be common among nursing home residents who died from suicide .These are often unwell managed in nursing homes due to a lack of to appropriate services and trained professionals .

social risk factors are associated with higher rates of suicide in older men, which suggests that more aggressive screening and treatment may be required.

conversations with other people , as factors that may reduce suicidal tendencies in the elderly

Although the reported number of suicides each year in nursing homes (around ten) is relatively small, deaths from suicide represent only the "tip of the iceberg" of self-harm and suicidal behavior in nursing homes.

Essential to manage the high familarity of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, as well as to support residents with their progressive decline in health and independence.