Elderly Suicidal Deaths - An Observational Study

Abstract

The suicide was 3rd leading cause of unnatural death among elderly age group. The suicide death of an older subject is less impactful on the people than the loss of someone younger, particularly of adolescents and of young adults. For these reasons, suicide in the elderly population is a phenomenon that is often ignored or neglected, drawing less attention than suicide in younger population. An Observational study of suicides among elderly age group ≥60 years was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology North Bengal Medical College, Sirajganj. The data was taken from 250 bedded Sirajganj general hospital from Police inquests, hospital records, toxicological reports and suicide letters were collected by police and studied. The total elderly suicidal deaths during the period of 3 years were 112, more common among 60-64 years aged people. Educated, middle class, joint family and different categories of professional background with physical ailments were common factors in the study. The methods used for suicide ranged from poisoning, hanging, and burns to fall from height. The results were analysed and compared with previous research studies, and this study matched the results of several other studies. This is possibly due to beginning of dependency and stressful life following their retirements. Suicide is the 3^rd leading unnatural cause of death among elderly which is not an impulsive act. Intervention in the aged suicide will be a complex task and should involve changes at different levels of the current aged care system.