Correlates of Suicide Among Home Health Care Utilizers who Died by Suicide and Community Controls

This study examined the characteristics of 14 older adult home health care utilizers who died by suicide & 4 community controls who used similar services. Both groups of home health care utilizers had multiple health problems &, were functionally impaired. Suicide decedents were more likely to suffer from depressed mood, suicidal ideation, alcohol dependence, & chronic pain. Identifying suicide risk factors that place older adult home health care utilizers at high risk for suicidal behaviours will help target suicide preventive interventions by home care providers. (44 refs)