The Elderly Suicide: Those Left Behind (IN: Now I lay me Down: Suicide in the Elderly, edited by D Lester & M Tallmer)

This chapter provides an overview of research studies on the survivors of a suicide with particular focus on those bereaved by an elderly suicide. Although the elderly seem to be able to adapt to bereavement without excess physical or psychiatric problems, too few older subjects have been included in previous studies to reach any conclusions. Also, there is no literature concerning younger adult survivors of elderly suicide, nor of friend survivors or grandchild survivors. (37 Refs.)