Older Adults in Long-Term Care Need Mental Health, Suicide Prevention Care

July 19, 2019

News Type:  Weekly Spark, Weekly Spark News

United Press International

Recent findings suggest long-term care facilities may be key settings for suicide prevention. Researchers used a computer algorithm to analyze the suicide deaths of nearly 48,000 adults 55 and older between 2003 and 2015. They found that more than 1,000 of those deaths took place in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living residences. “There are things we can do to promote the emotional health and psychosocial well-being of people who are living in long-term care facilities, or are transitioning into them, and their family members,” said Briana Mezuk, lead author and researcher at University of Michigan’s School of Public Health.

Spark Extra! Check out a toolkit to prevent suicide in senior living communities.