Suicide in Late Life: Review and Commentary

Increasing attention has been directed to recent increases in suicide rates for children, adolescents, and young adults. Nevertheless, persons 65 years and older continue to commit suicide at a higher rate than any other age group in the United States. In this paper various aspects of suicide are examined by analyzing recent trends among young and elderly populations, cohort suicide rates, and future projection of the number of suicides in late life. Data are derived from US death certificates. Consideration of the epidemiologic data and projections may be helpful both to those interested in public policy and to clinicians serving the elderly.