Who are senior citizens? years of age 40 year age cohort Still-working / retired Active / frail – at risk Caregiving for grandchildren/great grandchildren Caregiving for spouse/parent/ friend/other family A very varied population

Demographic imperative in USA Baby boomer population Impacts on ALL aspects of community life Financial/economic Housing Transportation Family Caregiving

Highest suicide rate among older Americans 19% of suicides are elderly while seniors are 13% of the total population Startling Facts One elder suicide every 90 minutes in USA Those between 80 and 85 have 2X the overall rate Suicide highest among those widowed or divorced 75% of elderly have visited a health professional within 1 month of suicide (41% within 1 week and 20% within 24 hours)

Lethality Attempts per suicide, all populations: and younger: 200 Elderly: 4 Older persons contemplating suicides are much more likely to act and to use a lethal weapon. A final fact Older Men commit 81% of suicides within the elderly population.

Factors Affecting Elder Suicide Depression Living longer with chronic diseases PAIN Social isolation Substance abuse Widowed. Divorced status Available means – firearms in the home Role of caregiver

Caregiver Stress Who is a caregiver? Anyone who provides help to another person in need Informal and family caregivers provide 80-85% of care Needs can include: grocery shopping, cooking, housekeeping, transportation, bathing, giving medicine, dressing, toileting, bill paying, eating Most Americans will be caregivers at some point in their lives. In any year, 44 million Americans or 21% of adult population are caregivers.

Who are Caregivers? 61% of caregivers are women Most caregivers are middle aged 13% are aged 65 years and older 59% of caregivers have jobs in addition. And half of these have adjusted their work schedules to accommodate their caregiving duties.

What is Caregiver Stress? Caregiver stress is the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. ✓ Guilt ✓ Helplessness ✓ Frustration ✓ Anger

Caregiving can be rewarding Gives you a sense of giving back to your loved one Makes you feel needed Helps you to appreciate life Helps to make one feel good about oneself

11 Caregiving can affect a person’s health More likely to have symptoms of depression & anxiety More likely to have long-term medical problems, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes or arthritis Spend more days sick with an infectious disease Weaker immune system, weaker response to flu… Higher levels of obesity Higher risk for mental decline, including problems with memory and paying attention Study found that elders who felt stressed while caregiving were 63% more likely to DIE within 4 years, compared with those who were not feeling stressed.

Health effects of caregiving Women caregivers, compared with women who are not caregivers, are less likely to: Get needed medical care Fill a prescription because of the cost Get a mammogram Caregivers report that, compared with the time before they became caregivers, that they are less likely to: Get enough sleep Cook healthy meals Get enough physical activity

Warning Signs of too much stress Feeling overwhelmed/cannot cope anymore Sleeping too little or too much Eat, smoke or drink more Feeling tired most of the time Loss of interest in activities one used to enjoy More easily upset, angered or irritated Feeling constantly worried Often feeling sad Frequent headaches, body pain or other physical problems

How to relieve or prevent caregiver stress Take Care of yourself. Every week – every DAY. Ask for and ACCEPT help – TAKE A BREAK: time off/respite. Find out about caregiver resources – get informed. Don’t feel guilty about not being the ‘perfect’ caregiver. Identify what you can and cannot change and set realistic goals. Stay in touch with friends and family. Join a support group. Find time to be physically active every day. Try to keep your sense of humor. See your MD, regularly as needed. If you work, check out the Family & Medical Leave Act.

15 Emerging trend among the old-old Homicide/suicides are increasing Almost all homicide/suicides in older persons involve a husband who kills his wife before killing himself Each year more than 500 homicides/suicides or 1,000 deaths occur in persons 55 years or older, which means that 20 older persons die each week in USA in a homicide/suicide. Act of desperation – depression and helplessness

Homicide/Suicide – what to look for: Older couple has been married a long time and husband has dominant personality Husband is caregiver and wife dementia or other condition creating total dependence One or both have multiple medical problems and the health status of one or both are changing A move to a nursing home or ALF is pending or under discussion The older couple is becoming more socially isolated, withdrawing from family, friends and social activities

If you suspect or are concerned: Talk with them. Don’t be afraid to ask. Get involved and talk about alternatives/options. Get professionals involved. Remove weapons and all the other tools of suicide prevention. Help them to address their concerns. Don’t let them give up and see such an act as a solution.

In all situations with elderly, INTERVENTION IS KEY. Show you Care Help make the last years the best years CONNECT Connect with the person Connect with local resources

For senior service and program information: in Santa Maria in San Luis Obispo anywhere in California