I penned a post “Why I Volunteer on Crisis Text Line” to examine that why and identify an outcome for me and my grief journey. Spoiler, I did it because I needed to find meaning.
I was living, barely, devoid of meaning after Donna died. I was part of the epidemic of loneliness and despair. I didn’t know when I went thought that writing exercise there is more behind my becoming a crisis counselor than just my grief journey.
I am or have become a huge advocate for the elderly, bereaved, and isolated. I guess my huge is because I am one, I am widowed, and isolated. In a way I am advocating my own self interest and along the way advocating for others.
My good friend Ben @miller7 tuned me on to Andy Slavitt and his Podcast “In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt”. Slavitt worked in healthcare under the Obama administration helped craft the ACA and more. His podcast is healthcare related primarily to COVID-19. A great listen full of info and smart.
The most recent show was an interview Slavitt did with Vivek Murthy, MD who was the Surgeon General during the Obama administration. In 2017 he went beyond the usual health warnings smoking, sugar, obesity, etc. to point out the epidemic of loneliness and how it is is driving a higher death rates especially among the elderly. Here are links to articles addressing this topic. Here Here Here
Just for fair balance. US News and World Repost December 2019 offered up this article “An ‘Epidemic of Loneliness’ in America? Maybe Not” It looked at a survey from 2005 of 3,000 boomers and showed no evidence they were more lonely than previous generations at their age. A Dutch study found similar evidence. The Dutch study pointed to factors that may buffer older adults from loneliness, self-efficacy and mastery which are competency and control over their lives.
That point, mastery and control, fits with my becoming a volunteer Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line, going though rigorous training, and the continuous learning expected of crisis counselors. In the Slavitt Podcast with Dr. Murthy he summed up what the Dutch Study pointed out as what he calls a workaround for the epidemic of loneliness and despair, service. Best captured in this quote:
"It turns out that when we reach out and help someone else, that that not only enables us to connect with another human being, but it reminds us of our value and of our purpose in life.” VIVEK MURTHY
Old and Suicidal: It’s a Thing
There is much to do. The elderly are at huge risk and rightly so. We need to address this issue.
Aging In Place has a post “Elderly Suicide: The Risks, Detection, and How to Help”. They point out that
Suicide rates have increased rates have increased >30% since 1999
CDC data: The overwhelming majority of suicide victims are male (84% of those with no known mental health condition are mail while 16% female)
Older adults are only 12% of the US population they account for 18% of suicide deaths
The risk increases with age; 75-85 year olds having higher rates of suicide than those between 65-75.
Individuals 85 or over have the highest risk yet
It’s estimated that elderly suicides are under reported by 40% due to “silent suicides” overdoses, self-starvation, self-dehydration, and “accidents”.
Causes For Elderly Suicide
Life crisis is the second most commonly reported cause of suicide. One major crisis is the loss of a spouse. This drives loneliness and is especially problematic for seniors. (Add the pandemic to this just for fuck sake)
Alcohol dependence or misuse 85 studies with those 65 plus years showed that >35% of men and nearly 18% or women have alcohol dependence or misuse.
Substance abuse is the third most common factor of elderly suicide.
Physical health issues are a driver for suicide in the elderly with three leading the list, TBI, sleep disorders, and HIV or AIDS.
Employment/Financial Factors especially around working longer into life and need to in order to have more cash to retire. Over 25 million Americans 60 years old and above are at or below the poverty level.
Criminal history is another factor in the rate of suicide among the elderly. Legal issues are likely contributors so suicide.
Early Warning Signs in Older Adults
Depression and hopelessness
Loss of independence
Diagnosed with a serious medical condition
Socially isolated
Death of a loved one
Suicide Prevention for Seniors
Talk with them in a caring nonjudgmental way can help at times. Talking about suicide does not cause suicide.
Connect the elderly with support groups. Find ones specific to physical health conditions.
Limit access to substances
Remove firearms
Finally have a plan if you suspect an elderly loved one ask
Are you considering ending your life?
Do you have a plan?
Do you have the means to complete that plan?
What is your timeframe to end your life?
Have them call a suicide help line.
Do You Hear Crickets Calling? I Do.
There are a number of wireless carriers and phones that are marketed to an elderly market. The one that comes to mind first is Cricket Wireless. They have a wide range of phones many of which are smart phones. There is also Jitterbug phones and plans. Lists of cell phones for seniors.
I would like to see these phones and wireless services who are marketing to the elderly have a dedicated button, no dialing, a single use button to text into Crisis Text Line 741741. Since the voice to text quality is improving that is easy to invoke option. It could do much to help prevent suicide in the elderly and stem the the crisis of loneliness and despair within this demographic. Easy works.
Each phone sold and/or plan signed up for comes with a message of what Crisis Text Line is and how it can help in and crisis. This simple idea can go a long way in helping to fight the epidemic of loneliness and despair in the elderly and help this at risk community to turn around the high rates of suicide. It is the least we can do now isn’t it.