Assessment and Early Intervention (IN: Preventing Elderly Suicide: Overcoming Personal Despair, Professional Neglect, and Social Bias, by J Richman)

This chapter places the integration of demographic & epidemiological data, recognition signs, family characteristics, & recovery factors within a comprehensive assessment process. Using a case example, checklists presented in other chapters are rated & overall risk of suicide is discussed. Other approaches to assessment & testing of the elderly are discussed. Assessment procedures including individual interviews with the suicidal person & relatives, followed by a family session, are outlined.