Elderly Suicide: an Analysis of Coroner’s Inquests Into two Hundred Cases in Cheshire 1989 – 2001

This study examined coroner’s inquest records of 200 elderly people in Cheshire who died by suicide. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical aspects of the suicidal process, & health care contact before death are reviewed. Findings are interpreted & compared to the currently available literature on elderly suicide. Later life suicide is characterised by less warning, higher lethality, & greater prevalence of depression & physical illness. However, suicide risk often remains undetected in this population. (29 refs.)