Preventing Unnecessary Deaths Among Older Adults

Abstract

The United States Surgeon General has identified suicide as a national public health problem and recognized that mind and body are inseparable (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). Poor mental health and medical conditions can lead to expressions of a desire to die, depression, suicide, and requests for physician-assisted suicide. This paper examines depression and the risks for suicide, suicide prevention, physician-assisted suicide (including the experience of Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, 1994) among older adults. The appropriate role for social workers in preventing unnecessary deaths is discussed.

Key Words:

• Physican assisted suicide
• older adult deaths
• depression
• risks for suicide