Today, seniors are living longer and though that may sound good, the problem is, because of fixed income and lack of family involvement, they have become more likely to commit suicide, suffer from loneliness or lose their drive.
Seniors World Empowerment Travel (SWET) will allow seniors aged 50 and above (and whom are medically cleared) a chance to travel to different countries for free (along with JTE youth) and experience places and things they would probably never have imagined. While on their travels, they will attend prepared workshops and conferences to enlighten them on the fact that they are still alive. The conferences will include motivational speaking, teaching and spending time with the young adults from JTE, which will help bridge the gap between seniors and aged out foster care youth. Most of these young adults have never had a relationship with a positive senior, and both the youth and the seniors have plenty of stories they can share with one another.
Seniors World Empowerment Travel (SWET) will allow seniors aged 50 and above (and whom are medically cleared) a chance to travel to different countries for free (along with JTE youth) and experience places and things they would probably never have imagined. While on their travels, they will attend prepared workshops and conferences to enlighten them on the fact that they are still alive. The conferences will include motivational speaking, teaching and spending time with the young adults from JTE, which will help bridge the gap between seniors and aged out foster care youth. Most of these young adults have never had a relationship with a positive senior, and both the youth and the seniors have plenty of stories they can share with one another.
SOME ELDERLY CHOOSE SUICIDE OVER LONELY, DEPENDENT LIFE
By ANDREW H. MALCOLM, Special to the New York Times Published: September 24, 1984
Loneliness Linked to Serious Health Problems and Death Among Elderly
UCSF Researchers Find Social Factors Play Major Role in Older Adults’ Health — by Leland Kim, June 18, 2012
Loneliness — the unpleasant feeling of emptiness or desolation — can creep in and cause suffering to people at any age. But it can be especially debilitating to older adults and may predict serious health problems and even death, according to a new study by UCSF researchers. Read full article.
One Problem Goes Unnoticed: Suicide Among The Elderly
By Steve Williams, September 16, 2012
While suicide among teenagers is often given a high profile in the media, the issue of suicide among older adults and the elderly often goes under-reported. How big is the problem and how can you help?
Suicide Among Older Adults: The Statistics
The most recent statistics based on 2009 data from the American Association of Suicidology shows that even though the elderly — defined as people age 65 and over — make up only 12.9 percent of the population, they account for almost 15.9 percent of all suicides. To put this in perspective, the rate of suicide among the elderly in 2009 was 14.8 per 100,000 or one elder suicide every 90 minutes, nearly 16 every day and a total of 5,858 suicides among those 65 and older.
Why Do Older Adults Commit Suicide?
There is no one factor that causes someone to commit suicide, however there are a number issues.
The biggest commonality in older adults is clinical depression. Many see depression as an inevitable part of getting older as one copes with declining health and the loss of loved ones. However, while feeling “down” is normal, clinical depression at any age is not. It is medically treatable and should not just be accepted, something that doctors are very keen to stress.
Common risk factors surrounding elder suicide include:
Common suicide warning signs in an older adult include (but are not limited to):
Read full article.
Suicide Among Older Adults: The Statistics
The most recent statistics based on 2009 data from the American Association of Suicidology shows that even though the elderly — defined as people age 65 and over — make up only 12.9 percent of the population, they account for almost 15.9 percent of all suicides. To put this in perspective, the rate of suicide among the elderly in 2009 was 14.8 per 100,000 or one elder suicide every 90 minutes, nearly 16 every day and a total of 5,858 suicides among those 65 and older.
Why Do Older Adults Commit Suicide?
There is no one factor that causes someone to commit suicide, however there are a number issues.
The biggest commonality in older adults is clinical depression. Many see depression as an inevitable part of getting older as one copes with declining health and the loss of loved ones. However, while feeling “down” is normal, clinical depression at any age is not. It is medically treatable and should not just be accepted, something that doctors are very keen to stress.
Common risk factors surrounding elder suicide include:
- The recent death of a spouse, family member or friend
- Illness
- The fear of a prolonged illness
- Social isolation and feelings of loneliness
- Major life changes, particularly retirement
Common suicide warning signs in an older adult include (but are not limited to):
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
- Feelings of guilt
- Feelings of purposelessness
- Feelings of being a burden
- Dramatic changes in regular routines
- Refusing social activities
- Giving away prized possessions
Read full article.