Studies show older adults commit suicide at nearly twice the national average, and men ages 80 and older are six times more likely than the general population to kill themselves.
The actual numbers probably are higher, the University of Southern California’s Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reports, noting some medication overdoses and apparent accidents are probably suicides.
Loneliness and depression often lead to suicide, Cambria County Coroner Dennis Kwiatkowski said.
“We are all living longer,” Kwiatkowski said. “The quantity of life is better, but the quality of life always isn’t. They have to deal with illnesses. They get depressed because they can’t always do the things they like to do.”
Withdrawal, the recent loss of a loved one and changes in eating or sleeping habits can be warning signs. The coroner’s office conducts regular suicide prevention programs at senior centers and apartment buildings.
“When they are homebound, we have to watch them,” Kwiatkowski said.
Seniors who feel depressed or family members who are concerned should contact the senior’s primary-care doctor, Kwiatkowski advises. Seniors should get involved at their senior centers, join a club or take up a hobby to keep their minds active, he said.
“Ninety-five percent of suicides are when people are alone,” Kwiatkowski said. “As long as you are with people, you are not going to think about suicide.”
Depression is not a normal part of aging, he stressed.
“Just because you are getting older, doesn’t mean you have to be blue all the time,” Kwiatkowski said.
Local News
Coroner: Senior suicide all too common
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
