Suicidal driving increases with age

Organizations call for more suicide prevention for the elderly in the euthanasia debate

03/12/2015

In Germany, about 10,000 suicides were registered in 2013. The age group of over-60s perpetrates about 45 percent of suicides. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the subject of suicide in old age. In the current discussion on euthanasia, the German Society for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Prevention Program are calling for a focus on improved palliative care for the severely ill and suicide prevention, rather than assisted suicide.

Loneliness and dependence due to physical limitations can lead to suicide in the elderly
From the age of 55, the suicide rate increases significantly. In the age group 90+, 40 out of every 100,000 people are killed. A good four times more common are men than women. Barbara Schneider from the German Society for Suicide Prevention explains in an interview with the news agency „dpa“, That the suicide rate is generally higher in men than in women in the European Union. Men are accustomed to solving problems, and would cope with physical and psychological stress in old age much worse than women. The feeling of failure and dependence must lead to a desperate act. In addition, women are usually better social networked.

However, Reinhard Lindner of the National Suicide Prevention Program made it clear to the news agency on Wednesday, when presenting a statement on the subject in Berlin, that many suicides could be prevented. „Contrary to many prejudices, suicidal tendencies can still be treated successfully even in old age. "

Often it is a cry for help when a lonely person sets as „Then I'll kill myself“ or „Life does not make sense to me anymore“ manifests. Then, in particular, relatives and friends are required, according to Lindner, to support the often lonely senior citizens. The consideration of alternative forms of living then also belong to it. For example, dementia patients in special residential communities could find a pleasant environment.

In old age, depression is not uncommon
However, relatives often misjudge the situation first. „Thereby hiding behind so many grumbles, silence or retreat, a depression, "reports the board of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, Eugen Brysch, to the news agency. „The main cause of suicide is depression. "

It is sometimes difficult for a layman to distinguish depression from dementia. Among other things, the German Depressive Aid Foundation names the following signs of depression in old age: The depressive mood is hardly influenceable, persists over a longer period of time, and manifests itself in the course of the day due to a morning low and a brightening in the evening. In addition, the person complains his condition. His thinking is inhibited and does not slow down, however, confused. The latter can be an indication of dementia.

The National Suicide Prevention Program and the German Society for Suicide Prevention, like Brysch, are calling for a policy to improve suzid prevention for seniors. For example, Lindner emphasizes to Minister of Health Hermann Gröhe (CDU) that the planned expansion of hospice and palliative medicine is not sufficient for the accompaniment of dying people. It needs an overall concept that includes the psychotherapeutic treatment of older people.

Although one wants to with the opinion „However, the two organizations argue that palliative care and suicide prevention measures should take precedence over assisted suicide, and that it would be unthinkable to offer assisted suicide as an equal option to seriously ill seniors.