Suicidal Ideation and Depression Among Institutionalized Elderly: the Influence of Residency Duration

An exploratory study of 83 randomly selected elderly persons relocated to a nursing home was conducted in the north of Israel. The aim was to examine the relationship between duration of residency & suicidal ideation. Elderly people in 4 different periods of residency were compared on 3 scales. Participants at all 4 stages of relocation expressed high levels of suicidality, particularly those in their first 7 months of residency. It is suggested that special attention be paid to residents’ subjective mental & emotional states. (43 refs)