For 24/7 crisis support, call Here 24/7 at (844) 437-3247

Suicide Prevention and Life Transitions: Older Adulthood

Older adults are typically understood to be those aged 65 and older. These adults are a growing proportion of the world’s population. In fact, Region of Waterloo estimates that by 20235, 1/5 residents will be considered to be older adults. (Region of Waterloo, 2022).

 

It’s long been recognized that as a population group, older adults have a higher risk of suicide. Although there is never a single cause or reason that leads someone to die by suicide, the transition to older adulthood can result in changes to an individual’s protective and risk factors. This can result in a heightened risk of attempting or dying by suicide.

 

In the final blog post of our Life Transitions campaign, we share information and insights regarding suicide in older adults, including how our community can work together to support them and keep them safe.

 

Risk Factors for Older Adults

As shared in the previous blog posts of the Life Transition campaign (Young Adulthood and Middle Adulthood) risk factors for suicide are often similar across the lifespan and throughout the different transitions discussed.

Some risk factors for older adults include:

  • Mental illness
  • Medical illness and physical impairment
  • Losses, such as the loss of a partner.
  • Poor social support
  • Functional limitations

(Source: Heisel, 2006; Koo et al.,2017)

 

While the risk factors may be similar, how and why these risk factors may develop can be different for older adults. For example, many older adults enter retirement. Retirement can result in the loss of social connections and contribute to a sense of losing one’s purpose in life. This can have a stronger impact on men, whose self-worth, identity, and relationships often stem more commonly from their work or occupation (Kristensen et al., 2023). 

 

As well, ageing impacts the body and mind, with certain physical or mental conditions becoming more common at an older age. These conditions can create functional limitations for older adults, such as difficulties with walking, lifting, or motor control. These functional limitations and physical impairments can have a negative effect on a person’s self-worth and sense of belonging, as an individual realizes they may not be able to participate in and enjoy activities they used to.

Although the risk factors identified above may be found in other population groups, understanding how and why they may develop for older adults can result in improved interventions and supports for those who are struggling.

Warning Signs 

Older adults may show warning signs for suicide that are similar to the signs shown by the general population. Also, some changes in behaviour can result from changes related to aging. The following behaviours may indicate that an older adult is thinking about suicide:

  • Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy.
  • Giving away beloved items or changing their will.
  • Neglecting self-care, including medical regimens and appointments.
  • Exhibiting a preoccupation with death.

 

(Source: National Council on Aging, 2024; Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2022).

 

Warning signs are also known as invitations for help that can be responded to. If you notice an older adult is exhibiting invitations for help, you can start a caring conversation with them.

Supporting Older Adults to Keep Safe from Suicide

How can older adults, health-care professionals, and community organizations help to address suicide risk and provide support?

 

Suicide can be prevented, and we all have a role to play. Older adults, health-care professionals, and community organizations can work together to address risk factors and build protective factors. Protective factors are the experiences and circumstances that can decrease a person’s risk of having suicidal thoughts or engaging in suicidal behaviours. Protective factors for older adults include:

  • Strong, supportive relationships with friends and family.
  • Being willing and able to ask for help when it’s needed.
  • Having meaning and purpose in life.

(Source: Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2022).

 

Older adults can help to keep themselves safe from suicide by maintaining their physical and mental health, prioritizing relationships, including activities with purpose and meaning in their daily lives, and by asking for help when it is needed. Maintaining physical and mental health can involve eating nutritiously, daily physical movement, and resting when needed. For those who have entered retirement, prioritizing relationships may involve setting up regular meetups with other retirees, or finding activities geared towards older adults. Volunteering is a common recommendation for older adults who find themselves struggling with a lack of meaning or purpose. Some older adults may also find a sense of connection and meaning by becoming involved in their religious community.         

 

Healthcare professionals can support older adults and help to keep them safe from suicide by following best-practice guidelines for working with older adults who may be struggling. The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health has several resources for health care professionals, including a pocket card for the assessment and prevention of suicide in older adults. It is important for health care professionals, particularly primary care physicians, to utilize these screening tools, as older adults tend to refrain from seeking the help that they need. Those with mental health concerns, including suicidal ideation, may present to their primary care physicians with somatic symptoms.

 

Community organizations can help to reduce suicide risk and support older adults by providing opportunities for them to maintain their health, build social connections, and receive the supports they need. In Waterloo Region, Community Supports Connections helps to support older adults by providing nutrition services (grocery shopping and Meals on Wheels), exercise and fall prevention classes, friendly connections, friendly visits, and transportation support. These services help older adults to age in place, meaning that they can continue to live in their homes with a sense of independence that contributes positively to their wellbeing.

 

Citations

Heisel, M. (2006). Suicide and Its Prevention Among Older Adults. The Journal of Canadian Psychiatry, 51(3), 129-204.

Kristensen MM, Simonsen P, Mørch KKS, Pihl ML, Rod MH, Folker AP. “It’s not that I don’t have things to do. It just all revolves around me” – men’s reflections on meaning in life in the transition to retirement in Denmark. J Aging Stud. 2023 Mar;64:101112. doi: 10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101112. Epub 2023 Feb 6. PMID: 36868624.

Koo, Y., Kolves, K., De Leo, D. (2017). Suicide in older adults: differences between the young-old, middle-old, and oldest old. International Psychogeriatics, 29(8).

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2022). Older Adults and Suicide Fact Sheet. Accessed from: Older adults and suicide – Fact sheet – Mental Health Commission of Canada

National Council on Aging. (2024). Suicide and Older Adults: What You Should Know. National Council on Aging. Accessed from: Understanding and Preventing Suicide in Older Adults (ncoa.org)

Region of Waterloo. (2022). Older Adults. Accessed from: Living Here-Older Adults – Region of Waterloo

Resources for Support in Waterloo Region

Community Support Connections

Community Support Connections provides individual and group support to caregivers in Waterloo Region, although they do not provide respite services. To learn more about Community Support Connections and how to access their services, visit: Caregiver Support – Community Support Connections

Region of Waterloo- Older Adult Health

The Region of Waterloo has links to additional services, including the Ontario Seniors Dental Care program and additional community supports.

Resources for Support in Ontario

Government of Ontario- Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors

The Ontario government has a webpage with information on resources available for seniors in Ontario, including tax credits, health, caregiving, housing, transportation, and staying safe. Visit: A guide to programs and services for seniors | ontario.ca for the list of resources.

Resources for Further Learning

Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (ccsmh.ca)

Established in 2002, the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health serves as a leader in knowledge transfer and advocacy within the mental health field. Through ongoing innovation and collaboration, the CCSMH strives to overcome barriers and ensure that every older adult receives the support they require.

Older Adult Mental Health and Well-being – Mental Health Commission of Canada

The Mental Health Commission of Canada has a variety of resources for older adults to learn about their mental health and wellbeing. They also offer an adapted Mental Health First Aid for Seniors focused around supporting older adults.

NEED HELP?

Please note, the WRSPC does not provide counselling or crisis support.

For access to mental health, addictions, and crisis services in the Waterloo Region call Here 24/7 at (844) 437-3247.

In case of an immediate emergency, call 911.

SHARE

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Sign Up for WRSPC News & Updates