A COMPARISON OF SUICIDAL AND NONSUICIDAL ELDERS REFERRED TO A COMMUNITY MENTAL-HEALTH-CENTER PROGRAM

Sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and life stressors of com munity-dwelling suicidal risk and nonsuicidal risk elders referred to a community aging and mental health provider were compared in this stu dy. Information was collected through case manager surveys and agency records on 683 older adults referred to the Elder Services Program of Spokane Mental Health in 1994 and the first 6 months of 1995. This sam ple included 109 individuals who were clinically judged to be at suici de risk by case managers at the time of initial assessment. Comparison s between suicidal risk and nonsuicidal risk elders indicated that sui cidal elders were younger, more likely to be separated or divorced, an d more likely to report a previous history of suicidal behavior. Resul ts of a logistic regression analysis indicated that living alone, depr ession or anxiety disorder, and higher levels of emotional disturbance predicted suicide risk status. In addition, medical problems, family conflict, and relationship loss predicted suicide risk status in this particular sample. Individuals at suicide risk were also more likely t o have a family physician than others. Implications of findings for id entification and treatment of suicidal elders are discussed.