B. Suzy Diggle-Fox
New York Institute of Technology, USA Title: Lifelong Learning: A constructivist grounded theory study
Title: Suicide Risk Assessment in a High-Risk Population: The Elderly
Biography
Biography: B. Suzy Diggle-Fox
Abstract
Geriatric suicide is continuing to rise and, as the older population increases, so will the rate of suicide. The United States has the largest number of suicides within the elderly population. It is estimated that every hour and a half a geriatric individual will commit suicide. Nurse practitioners (NP) and other primary care providers (PCP) are in ideal positions to be able to screen for at-risk individuals in the elder population. Some PCPs may not feel competent in screening for suicide. The NP/PCP should be able to collaborate with mental health professionals to facilitate counseling, medication, and other supportive services to reduce suicide risk and incidence. If primary care providers learn more about risk factors, assessment areas to explore and ways to improve treatment the incidence of suicidal behaviors will have better statistical odds of decreasing.