This article reports on a group of nursing home residents, some identified as ideators at risk for suicide, & compares ideators to nonideators. 99 subjects were studied. It was found that those who lacked a confidante had significantly more ideation than those who had a significant other person in their life. Age was also a significant risk indicator. An unexpected finding was that self-esteem was higher in the suicidal group. Perceived loss of control was also an important risk factor.