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Risk Factors for Suicide Among Older Adults
- Suicidal Ideation/ Behavior
- Family History
- Mental Illness
- Personality Factors
- Medical Illness
- Negative Life events/transitions
- Functional impairment
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Personality Risk Factors as Suicide Factors (PERPI)
- Personality disorders,
- Emotional instability,
- Rigid personality,
- Poor coping skills,
- Introversion
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Medical Illness as a suicide risk factor
- Pain,
- Chronic illness,
- Sensory impairment,
- Perceived or anticipated/feared illness
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Negative Life Events as a suicide risk factor (FSDFE)
- Family discord,
- Separation,
- Death or other losses,
- Financial or legal,
- Employment/retirement difficulties
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Functional Impairment as a suicide risk factor (LP)
- Loss of independence,
- Problems with activities of daily living
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Resiliency/Protective Factors (SGRAPE)
- Sense of meaning/ hope
- Religion
- Active social networks and support from family/friends
- Good health practices
- Positive help-seeking behaviors
- Engagement in activities of personal interest
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Assessment
- Is there a plan? when and how?
- Is the means/method available?
- Is the individual alone?
- Has the individual ever attempted suicide?
- Is the individual under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
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Importance of a Biopsychosocial Assessment
- First step in helping the older adult obtain services and resources
- Improve the quality of life and
- Maintain independent living
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When is a Biopsychosocial Assessment conducted?
- usually following a change in the older adult’s life, I.E-
- illness, fall, loss, change in living arrangements, or some evidence
- of difficulty observed by a family member or caregiver.
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