Suicide Prevention for Older Adults in Residential Communities: Implications for Policy and Practice

Whether by choice or necessity, more older adults are now living in congregate residential settings. About 23% of the 36 million adults over 65 experience relocation. While residences designed to accommodate lifestyle preferences are appealing, the underlying reasons (e.g., illness, decline in physical function, loss of a spouse or caregiver) that precipitate moving into a residential home, as well as the ensuing adjustment process, are often stressful. While a move can represent a positive change, all moves involve some degree of loss. These adjustments, coupled with an array of risk factors commonly found among seniors—such as depression, hopelessness, and functional impairment—can result in suicidal behaviors. Despite the growing demand and resultant proliferation of senior housing options, the systems that serve these populations are seemingly unprepared to address suicidal behavior.

Although our understanding of the epidemiology of suicide in older adults is growing, little is known about suicide in senior living settings. The positive perceptions of these settings—such as aging in place, maximizing independence, and promoting safety—along with the high satisfaction rates reported by residents tend to overshadow acknowledgments of distress. Thus policies and best practices regarding suicide prevention in these settings are sparse. In this paper we summarize what is known about suicide risk and suggest opportunities for suicide prevention in senior living communities.