Suicide in elderly South Tyroleans in various residential settings at the time of death: a psychological autopsy study.

BACKGROUND

Completed suicide is more frequent among older adults than any other age group. Data on suicide in nursing homes and other residential facilities are inconsistent. This work aims to describe the characteristics of elderly suicide victims in different residential settings compared to young suicide victims.

METHODS

Data on people who died by suicide in the South Tyrol (Alto Adige) region of Italy between 2000 and 2009 were gathered from the local Provincial Mortality Register. Further detailed information was collected via questionnaires to mental health departments and psychological services, family physicians and relatives of the deceased.

RESULTS

A total of 525 cases of suicide were recorded, with a linearly decreasing trend during the study period. About one-third of the suicides occurred in those aged 60 years and over. Suicide in the elderly was associated with low education level (odds ratio (OR) = 7.1, P < 0.001), living in a one-person household (OR = 2.4, P < 0.01), not having economic troubles (OR = 6.1, P < 0.01), having seen a doctor in the past month (OR = 2.4, P < 0.01) and living in a residential facility (OR = 2.6, P < 0.05). Twenty-four (17.9%) suicide victims aged 60 years and over were in a residential facility/hospital at the time of the death. They were more likely to be women, not married, and to die by jumping from a height.

CONCLUSIONS

The suicide risk should be carefully assessed in the elderly who live alone or are institutionalized or hospitalized. Efforts are warranted to reduce seniors' access to high places in hospitals and facilities.