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Suicide Awareness & Prevention in Older Adults

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A Guide for Care Providers

Marie Onukiavage - Executive Director

Ray Hayes

June 18, 2025

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Today’s Goal & Objectives

Goal: To raise awareness, provide education, and promote prevention strategies related to suicide among older adults, empowering participants to recognize risk factors, intervene appropriately, and access support resources.

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Objectives:

    • Understand the impact of suicide in older adults
    • Identify risk and protective factors
    • Recognize warning signs
    • Learn to respond effectively
    • Know how to refer and connect to resources

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National Institute of Health - Age 65 +

    • By 2040: one in five Americans will be 65 or over

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Baby Boomers

    • Born Between 1946 & 1964
    • Largest group of persons born

in history

      • In 2020 there were 76 million

How do you define

old age?

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Interesting Demographics

In 2023, 28% or 16.2 million older adults lived alone

Living Alone Increases with Age

61% of the 85+ live alone

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Persons 85 and Older

    • Fastest Growing Segment
    • In 2022 there were 6.5 million
    • By 2040 there will be 13.1 million
    • At Greatest Risk for Suicide

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CDC Suicide Facts &

Figures

    • 11th leading cause of death in the U.S.
    • Males make up 50% population but account for 80% suicides
    • Rate of Suicide increases with age
      • Overall 13.5%
      • Age 65-74 15.7 %
      • Age 75-84 19.4%
      • Age 85+ 22.7%

In 2023, 12 million people had thoughts of suicide, 3.7 million made plans, 1.5 million made an attempt.

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Responses to Suicide

Responses to a Death by Suicide

    • Shock, Disbelief, Anger, Guilt, Shame

Why, Where, When?

    • Number 1 Initial Response: WHY

WHY! WHY! WHY!

    • Survivors are desperate to understand the WHY
    • It is very difficult to figure out that person’s WHY
    • It is very difficult to infiltrate a mind

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The Canyon

of

“The “WHY did not take the life.

WHY didn’t they tell someone how.

WHY! WHY! WHY!

We often overlook the question the ‘HOW’ of Suicide”

Dr Frank Campbell

ex Director of Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center

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Suicide Risk Factors for Older Adults:

The Five Ds

Disease: Physical Health

Depression: Psychiatric Conditions

Disability: Loss of Independence

Deadly Means: Access to Lethal Means

Discrimination: Ageism

There is also: Social Isolation & Grief

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The How of Suicide:

Means Matter

Firearms: 27, 032 or 52%

Suffocation: 12,247 or 23%

Poison: 6,150 or 18%

Other: 4,047 or 4%

People use that which is readily available and lethal.

>>> Reduce the means and you reduce the incidents.

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Protective Factors

    • Strong Social Support
    • Access to Healthcare
    • Predictability/Routine
    • Sense of Purpose/Connectedness
    • Access to Community Resources
    • Problem-solving skills

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Warning

Signs

Direct & Indirect Verbal Cues:

    • I wish I were gone.
    • Everyone would be better off without me.
    • I have no reason to live.

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Situational Triggers:

    • Major life transitions
    • Recent loss
    • Chronic or terminal illness

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Behavioral Signs:

    • Withdrawal family, friends, social activities
    • Giving things away
    • Sudden calmness or mood improvement
    • Neglecting self-care
    • Increased use of alcohol or drugs

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Challenges in Recognition

    • Atypical presentation
    • Stigma
    • Normalizing experiences- normal part of aging

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Your Role

as a

Care

Provider

    • Interactions/Daily observations
    • Trust relationships
    • Awareness

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How to Ask

Be Direct

    • “Are you thinking about suicide?”
    • “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
    • “Do you wish you could go to sleep and never wake up?”

Avoid Judgement

Stay Connected

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Intervention Basics

    • Stay calm
    • Ensure immediate safety
    • Follow protocol
    • Contact Crisis

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Building a Supportive Environment

    • Encourage autonomy
    • Meaning & purpose
    • Consistent emotional support

>>>>DIGNITY

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Assessment Tools

    • Geriatric Ideation Scale (GSIS)
    • PHQ-9

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Resources for Providers and Clients

    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    • Scranton Counseling Center: 570-348-6100
    • Area Agency on Aging: 570-963-6707
    • National Institute on Aging: www.nia.nih.org
    • Senior Centers
    • Printed Resources

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Key

Takeaways

    • Notice warning signs
    • Ask directly
    • Act supportively

>>>>>Know that You Can Save a Life

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Thank You!

@nami.nepa

@naminepa

Marie Onukiavage

(570) 342-1047

marieo@naminepa.org

Ray Hayes

info@naminepa.org

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