Health status and suicidal ideation in Korean elderly: the role of living arrangement.

BACKGROUND

The upward Korean suicide trend of recent years is mainly explained by a strong rise in suicide by older people.

AIMS: This study investigates the influence of physical and mental health factors on suicidal ideation among elderly people, who are either living alone or living with others.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data of 1743 older adults (≥ 65 years) who completed the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analysed.

RESULTS

The outstanding finding was that suffering a stroke was significantly associated with suicidal ideation among elderly people. A limitation in daily activities, experience of depressed feelings and high levels of stress were significantly associated with suicidal thoughts in both elderly people living alone and those living with others.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the need for suicide-intervention services, which particularly target high-risk elderly people. Primary care should be provided to elderly people after suffering a stroke and/or experiencing a limitation in daily activities.