Author/Authors :
Wand, Anne Pamela Frances Older Persons’ Mental Health Service - Kogarah - NSW, Australia , Jones, Carolyn Older Persons’ Mental Health Service - Kogarah - NSW, Australia , Peisah, Carmelle School of Psychiatry - University of New South Wales - Sydney - NSW, Australia , Draper, Brian School of Psychiatry - University of New South Wales - Sydney - NSW, Australia , Brodaty, Henry Dementia Collaborative Research Centre and Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing - University of New South Wales,Sydney - NSW, Australia
Abstract :
Suicide amongst the very old is an important public health issue. Little is known about why older people may express a wish to die orrequest euthanasia and how such thoughts may intersect with suicide attempts. Palliative care models promote best care as holisticand relieving suffering without hastening death in severely ill patients; but what of those old people who are tired of living and mayhave chronic symptoms, disability, and reduced quality of life? Two cases of older people who attempted suicide but expressed apreference for euthanasia were it legal are presented in order to illustrate the complexity underlying such requests. The absence ofa mood or anxiety disorder underpinning their wishes to die further emphasises the importance of understanding the individual’snarrative and the role of a formulation in guiding broad biopsychosocial approaches to management
