Year: 1987 Source: American Journal of Emergency Medicine, v.5, no.6, (November 1987), p.524-526 SIEC No: 19880289

In this paper, the case of an obtunded elderly women is presented. Initially diagnosed as suffering a cardiac problem, it was later found that she had taken a drug overdose. States that depression is common & under-recognized in the elderly. As a result, suicide rates are highest in the elderly. Over & underdosing of drugs are a common means available to the suicidal elderly person. These overdoses are often overlooked & caregivers need to consider this when dealing with the elderly.