This newspaper article identifies predictors of suicide in the elderly in addition to hopelessness, depression, & substance abuse. Suicide may be a reaction to a total life situation. Rates are high for large cohort size & for those whose latency years are during higher sociocultural stress. Social isolation, debilitating illness, anxiety due to collapse of pension funds, & dementia also increase risk. Prevention involves greater awareness by doctors & more involvement of friends & family. (CM)