![]() ![]() Therefore, its role may be less relevant in older people than in younger people 17. For example, the lifetime prevalence of major depression, an important risk factor for suicide at any age, decreases significantly after the age of 65 years 15, 16. However, especially for a Western country, considering individuals in their fifties or sixties as representative of ‘late-life’ suicides could lead to misleading interpretations. Literature relating to suicide in old age also generally considers 65 years as the threshold level however, given the relative numerical rarity of the phenomenon, many investigations have also included younger individuals 14. In low- and middle-income countries, rather than chronological age, old age seems to be defined by cessation of active participation in society 13. However, especially in high-income countries, people aged 65–74 years generally enjoy good health and continue to benefit from satisfactory levels of social inclusion and availability of resources as in younger age. The threshold for entering old age is generally considered to be 65 years. While chronological age increases at the same rate for everyone everywhere, biological age depends on epigenetic alteration and DNA methylation and related bodily changes occurring in a given person 12. In fact, there is no clearly defined and universally valid threshold that marks old age, as a person’s chronological age is not well linked to their physical and mental capabilities. ![]() Old age is a social concept rather than a true biological one 11. This article provides an overview of existing knowledge on suicide in old age and discusses it in the context of the global aging population, the increase in longevity around the world and the potential impact of the pandemic (Boxes 1, 2). Measures to prevent suicide attempts might also reduce suicide risk for others, as there is evidence that exposure to suicide within ones’ social group increases the risk of suicidal behavior 5. Thus, opposing ageism (see definitions for key terms in Box 1) can significantly reduce the impact of the risk factors that contribute to suicidal behavior and reduce the number of fatal suicide attempts. Ageist attitudes associate old age with physical and cognitive decline (considering older adults to be frail and helpless individuals) and inevitably influence the level of care that these individuals receive 4. All these conditions are risk factors for suicide 3 some of these factors can be controlled and their impact limited some others may simply be too much of a burden on individuals and their families. This sad phenomenon occurs more often in older men, particularly those over 80 years of age 1, especially when facing conditions such as chronic pain and dependence on others, but also when suffering from loneliness, feelings of abandonment and loss of meaning for life 2. Older people die by suicide at a disturbing rate. ![]()
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