Differences in Suicide Between the Old and the Oldest Old

This study examined the differences in trends of suicide mortality between the old (65-79) & the oldest old (80+) by using 17729 people aged 50 or above who died by suicide in Denmark between 1972-1998. Suicide trends were analysed by sex, age, civil status & methods. The study found that during the recent decades, the decreasing suicide trend of the middle aged & the old has been opposed by a more stable trend of the oldest old. The highest suicide rate is found among the oldest old men, & during the 1990Õs, also among women. (LC) (30 refs)