Suicide Among Older Adults: Causes and Prevention
September 19, 2023
POSTED IN: AgingTAGS: Aging, Aging Alone, Mental Health
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September is National Suicide Prevention month and we want to help raise awareness about some concerning issues among individuals aged 65 and older.While older adults comprise just 12% of the population, they make up approximately 18% of suicides.This age group faces unique challenges and risk factors that can contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Preventing suicide among older adults means understanding the underlying issues.Understanding the IssueScope of the Problem: Suicide rates tend to increase with age, and older adults have some of the highest rates of suicide in many parts of the world.Isolation and Loneliness: Older adults often experience social isolation and loneliness, which can lead to depression and other mental health issues.Limited social interactions can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness and despair.Physical Health Issues: Many older adults grapple with chronic health conditions, functional limitations, and pain.The burden of physical illness can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and make suicide seem like an escape from suffering.Loss and Grief: Aging often involves significant losses, such as the death of a spouse, friends, or family members.
Coping with grief and adapting to a new reality can be overwhelming, increasing the risk of suicidal ideation.Financial Stress: Some older adults face financial difficulties in retirement, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and despair.Economic insecurity can be a significant factor in suicidal thoughts.Prevention StrategiesPromoting Social Connections: Encouraging older adults to maintain and build social connections is crucial.Community organizations, senior centers, and support groups can provide opportunities for social interaction and reduce feelings of isolation.Mental Health Awareness: Raising awareness about mental health issues among older adults is essential.
This includes educating them, their families, and healthcare providers about the signs of depression and the importance of seeking help when needed.Access to Mental Health Services: Ensuring that mental health services are readily available and accessible to older adults is vital.This includes training healthcare professionals to identify and address mental health concerns in older patients.Pain Management: Adequate pain management is essential for older adults dealing with chronic illnesses.Managing pain effectively can improve their overall well-being and reduce the desire for escape through suicide.Addressing Financial Stress: Programs and services that provide financial support and assistance to older adults in need can help alleviate the financial stress that contributes to suicidal thoughts.Regular Check-Ins: Family members, friends, and caregivers should regularly check in on older adults to assess their emotional well-being.Crisis Hotlines: Promoting the availability of crisis hotlines and support services specifically tailored to older adults can provide a lifeline for those in distress.
The 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Hotline is a helpful resource.Suicide among people aged 65 and older is a complex and concerning issue, driven by a combination of social, emotional, and health-related factors.By addressing the unique challenges faced by older adults, promoting mental health awareness, and providing access to appropriate resources and support, we can work towards reducing the rates of suicide among older individuals.Hurley Elder Care Law includes a team of care coordinators to assist our clients with accessing community resources to offer support.Call our office at 404-843-0121 to speak with our intake specialist and discuss your elder law needs.
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Posted in AgingTags: Aging, Aging Alone, Mental Health
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Client TestimonialsAll I can say is Wow ! I have never seen a team attack and solve a problem like Hurley.We lost our father and two weeks later our mother suffered a severe stroke.Nursing home costs were draining their life savings, but Hurley found a solution and got things under control.Gary G.Superb service through a difficult maze of governmental regulations and requirements which are not navigable by an individual without a depth of knowledge that far exceeds mine.Wallace M.Due to aging, escalating health and cost concerns for both my husband and myself, I chose to work with Hurley Elder Care to do care and estate planning.
I am so very pleased with the result.I have a much improved understanding of the complexity of this process, the necessary documents, timing, regulations and the need for professional guidance.Gina M.It's impossible to accurately describe the lost feeling of realizing you need power of attorney, updated will and general guidance all of a sudden when dealing with a parent with dementia.The firms responsiveness has been superb, their work flawless and their advice kind, compassionate and professional.
I'll forever know that their guidance prevented us from making many bad decisions.Neal R.Hurley Elder Care Law went to work for my Mother and navigated all of the Government red tape and got her approved for Medicaid in short order.I, as her POA, could not even begin to climb the mountain of paperwork on my own.David Q.Very comfortable atmosphere.They treat you like you are one of the family.Val B.
The team at Hurley are amazing.
I was frankly astonished at the results they were able to provide for...read moreThe team at Hurley are amazing.I was frankly astonished at the results they were able to provide for my elderly mom.
I wholeheartedly recommend Hurley Elder Care Law! read lessSid Stephens8/07/2023My family is so thankful we found our way to Hurley Elder Care.We initially met with them just to...read moreMy family is so thankful we found our way to Hurley Elder Care.
We initially met with them just to discuss updating my parents legal documents.Mom has dementia and she still held my dads health care power of attorney.Miles Hurley is a wealth of knowledge and opened our eyes to ways to protect my parents assets as well as getting mom approved for Medicaid so in home services can be provided to assist my parents.
We worked closely with Paul to provide all the needed documents.His knowledge and patience were appreciated every step of the way.Nicole was also a wealth of information and always available to answer questions and assist us.
There is no way we could have navigated this process without Paul and Nicole! read lessCathy R.8/01/2023I chose Hurley Elder Care based on all the positive customer reviews and I am so glad I chose them....read moreI chose Hurley Elder Care based on all the positive customer reviews and I am so glad I chose them.They are experts in their field and made the Medicaid process stress-free.
Prior to partnering with Hurley Elder Care I wasn't getting much sleep due to all the unknown.Kaila Crowder and Nicole Lott were amazing! They were there every step of the way and now my grandma is on Medicaid! I highly recommend Hurley Elder Care! Also, if I were to look back at the top decisions I have made in my lifetime, partnering with Hurley Elder Care would make that list!!! read lessBrian Railey7/17/2023I make confident referrals to this law firm with great frequency.They know their industry and provide excellent service.
Ive...read moreI make confident referrals to this law firm with great frequency.They know their industry and provide excellent service.
Ive personally been to one of the training seminars that Miles led and gained a great deal of understanding of stage of life preparedness.Excellent law firm! read lessRand Eberhard7/05/2023This is the 2nd time I have used Hurley Elder Care Law firm.They are a very professional group.
You...read moreThis is the 2nd time I have used Hurley Elder Care Law firm.They are a very professional group.
You get a free one hour meeting to discuss your needs, and then decide whether or not they can help you.They are expensive, but very efficient.THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!! Because of their expertise and no nonsense approach, we more than covered their fees in what we saved by securing the benefits we sought in very short order.
I would definitely use them again and highly recommend their services.The best! Worth every penny! read lessConnie Washburn2/07/2023Engaging Hurley Elder Care Law was the best thing I did when undertaking responsibility for the care of my sister...read moreEngaging Hurley Elder Care Law was the best thing I did when undertaking responsibility for the care of my sister with dementia.
The staff there is amazing and guided me through the complexities of selecting a nursing home and the daily issues surrounding care.They intervened when necessary to ensure her proper care.They were also the intermediary with Medicaid, taking the lead and guiding me when necessary.
I can't say enough about their professionalism and knowledge of the eldercare laws, rules, and regulations and their desire to ensure that my sister was well represented throughout her battle with that terrible disease.read lessEd Reed1/04/2023I would like to thank the Hurley Elder Care Law Firm for getting my cousin approved for Medicaid! My experience...read moreI would like to thank the Hurley Elder Care Law Firm for getting my cousin approved for Medicaid! My experience with Hurley Elder Care Law exceeded my expectations! The entire team was courteous, caring, knowledgeable, responsive, and professional.
From my initial meeting with Miles Hurley to review my cousin's case, my anxieties were over.Sam and Caitleen assisted me in collecting the needed documents to start my case.Grace Suchy did an outstanding job of walking me through this process and reassuring me that they would get this done.
Also, Nicole Lott, LMSW Care Coordinator, visited my cousin at the nursing home on several occasions to make sure his needs were being met and she communicated with me before and after each visit.If you feel lost and don't know exactly what you are doing, and it's very difficult getting through or working with DFACS, I encourage you to reachout to The Hurley Firm.The Hurley Elder Care Law Firm Team provided me full service, and I am highly recommending them without any reservations.
read lessRonnie Kitchens12/31/2022Very responsive and caring.I highly recommend.Janice Overbeck12/11/2022Hurley Elder Care helped my and husband and me to update our Wills and our Healthcare Powers of Attorney at...read moreHurley Elder Care helped my and husband and me to update our Wills and our Healthcare Powers of Attorney at a time that was most difficult for us.
We were moving to a senior High Rise and we both have health issues.Our wills and HPA were very outdated and we had no idea where to turn.Hurley was highly recommended to us by a respected professional, and we immediately made an appointment.
They helped us navigate a lot of complicated material and within a matter of weeks, sent us a completed and updated Will and HPA in a durable notebook, with everything beautifully taken care of! They are the very BEST! read lessMarianne Craft12/04/2022Could not have asked for a better experience with Hurley Elder Care Law! From our initial consultation with Grace Suchy...read moreCould not have asked for a better experience with Hurley Elder Care Law! From our initial consultation with Grace Suchy to the amazing year-round support from Paul Abrahamson, we were always in good hands.Paul took the time to explain complicated things in a way that was easy to understand.
The team was very professional and knowledgeable, and helped us navigate it all.And we were thankful for calls checking-in, offering help if we needed it and great reminder emails for things we need to do throughout the year.Highly recommend! read lessLynn Garber11/02/2022The team at Hurley Elder Care Law has been top notch throughout the entire process.
From our initial meeting...read moreThe team at Hurley Elder Care Law has been top notch throughout the entire process.From our initial meeting in Duluth (to accommodate my convenience), to helping unravel my parents' finances and securing payment for my mother's long-term care, I could not have asked for a better experience.
Thorough answers, quick replies, patience with my constant barrage of questions, and a seemingly genuine care for our situation have been consistent throughout all of our interactions.I would, and will, highly recommend their services!I am not going to lie and say that this undertaking has been an easy one, nor would I downplay mom and my hesitance when making the initial financial investment needed to secure Hurley's representation, BUT I cannot imagine how overwhelmed and frustrated I would have been if I had attempted to face these processes without their help.I am aware there are free resources and guidance available from other avenues, like the nursing home where mom lives, but in retrospect I am certain that said services would have been unable to answer all of my questions.I am also fairly sure that our interests would not have been so well prioritized and protected if we had chosen to travel these paths.
Even with help it has been a daunting task, and the entire process seems intentionally designed to confound.For us time was of the essence, and we were able to secure mom's coverage a full month before we found ourselves in a self-pay situation.I could site about a dozen instances where Hurley's experience and understanding of the process saved me time and money, but most important to me was that their support alleviated a lot of the stress and all of the uncertainty in these endeavors.It has been quite the undertaking, and mom and I speak often of how glad we are that we made the right decision in hiring Hurley Elder Care Law.
read lessKeeton Hughes10/26/2022Recently had wills n powers of attorney done by miles hurley.Two visits n everything was perfect.No rushing,...
read moreRecently had wills n powers of attorney done by miles hurley.Two visits n everything was perfect.No rushing, plenty of time for questions.
Highly recommend.read lessjohn moreman10/24/2022Very responsive and answers thoroughly answers questions.Shannan Norton6/13/2022Handling a probate case for me.Definitely seem to know what the court systems want around here.
Very happy with...read moreHandling a probate case for me.Definitely seem to know what the court systems want around here.
Very happy with the job they've done so far.read lesschad schoening5/23/2022They answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other...read moreThey answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other attorneys I checked.They made all the arrangements to take care of the situation I had and did it in a profession and timely manner.I would refer Hurley Elder Care Law to anyone that needs assistance with getting their older parents affairs in order.They answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other attorneys I checked.They made all the arrangements to take care of the situation I had and did it More read lessJ Rod5/19/2022They answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other...
read moreThey answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other attorneys I checked.They made all the arrangements to take care of the situation I had and did it in a profession and timely manner.I would refer Hurley Elder Care Law to anyone that needs assistance with getting their older parents affairs in order.read lessJ Rod5/17/2022
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