This article reports on a comparison of 4 inpatient groups, (20 subjects each) based on age (54 years) & current suicidal behaviour (suicidal, & nonsuicidal but depressed.) Results suggest clinicians should be aware of using traditional suicide variables on assessment of the suicidal elderly & be most wary of older psychiatric patients who have a primary diagnosis of depression, possess suicidal ideation or make a suicidal gesture, & have physical problems. (20 refs.)