Older adults are exposed to a range of risk factors, which can increase vulnerability to suicide such as chronic pain, dependence on others and loss of autonomy, loss of a partner or friends and loneliness. Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that for 2023 the rate of suicide in males aged 85 years and older was 26.4 per 100,000, and the rate of suicide for females aged 85 years and older was 7.7 per 100,000.
In this Q&A, Sian Palmieri, Program Coordinator for Anglicare's Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program, shares an overview of the program and how it contributes to suicide prevention in older adults by upskilling those who support them.
What is Anglicare's Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program?
Anglicare’s Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program is a free, three-hour online training workshop. The workshop provides knowledge, skills and tools to be able to support an older adult who is experiencing distress or thoughts of suicide. No prior mental health knowledge is required. The Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program is accredited through the Suicide Prevention Accreditation Program.
What do we know about suicide in older adults compared to other population groups?
Depression and suicide among older adults are largely overlooked issues, despite the statistics telling us that both men and women over the age of 85 have some of the highest age-specific suicide rates in Australia. Society often holds ageist attitudes when it comes to older adults feeling depressed or thinking about dying. Society will often dismiss these thoughts and feelings as “part of old age”, and will normalise depression and suicide among older adults, instead of following up these thoughts and feelings with a sense of urgency. Depression and suicide should not be normalised for anybody, no matter what their age is.
What factors protect against, or increase the risk of suicide in older adults?
We know that there are many risk and protective factors for the general population, but there are a number that we focus on in our program that are slightly more specific to the older adult population. Some of the common risk factors for older adults that we discuss in detail include losing a sense of purpose or role in life, loss and bereavement and health/mobility issues that may reduce independence and increase feelings of being a burden.
On the other hand, there are also many protective factors including having a purpose and role to play, and connection to others – volunteering is a great example of this. Maintaining self-efficacy and a sense of control are also big protective factors for older adults, especially those living in an aged care setting.
How can the Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program support the prevention of suicide in older adults?
Our program assumes participants have no prior knowledge of suicide prevention and is aimed at anyone who supports older adults, whether that be in a paid or unpaid role – even concerned family members.
Our program is evidence-based and will inform participants of the latest statistics and information regarding suicide in older adults. We discuss risk and protective factors for the general population and more specifically for older adults. We will teach participants about warning signs of suicide, including thoughts of suicide, which is most common among older adults. We discuss the importance of having conversations with empathy and focusing on connection.
We equip participants with non-clinical support ideas and coping strategies, before outlining the referral pathways should there be a need to refer someone to professional support. Throughout the workshop participants will also hear from older adults with a lived experience of suicide.
Where is the Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program available?
We are funded by The Department of Health and Aged Care under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program, which means our program is open to anyone living within Australia, all participants need is access to the internet and videoconferencing application Zoom.
We also offer a face-to-face option for organisations that may want to train their staff in a group setting; we can travel anywhere within Australia. The face-to-face workshops will incur a fee and a quote will be provided upon enquiry.
Where can we learn more?
Information on the program is available through the Anglicare website, or by emailing the team at [email protected]
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