Suicide Among Seniors

I often write about suicide during the month of September which is suicide prevention month. But, the fact is that December, January and February are the months when many people actually take their leave via suicide. Many of those who do are seniors. This is why, instead of writing about love, which the month is commonly associated with, I’m writing about suicide in February.

Success Rate Among Those Who Attempt Suicide

So many Americans are horrified at the number of suicides among young people with good reason. Young people have their whole lives ahead of them and it feels particularly tragic when their lives come to an end by choice. Yet at the other end of the spectrum is suicide among our senior citizens. Of the two groups, seniors are far more likely to succeed at ending their lives than are the young. In fact, 1 in 5 seniors who attempt suicide succeed, while only 1 out of every 200 young people who attempt suicide succeed in their efforts.

Live And Die Well

As an Elder Care Attorney with a focus on Estate and Asset Protection planning, it is my mission to help people live and die with the highest quality of life possible. Helping seniors and their families become aware of suicidal thoughts when I hear them, is fairly common in my law practice. Seniors typically begin to feel useless or that they are a burden, which often triggers the first thoughts of suicide. Chronic illness is another motivating reason seniors decide to end their lives. Loneliness is another.

Be Attuned To Talk That Might Indicate Suicide Is Being Considered

It’s important for family members, friends, caretakers and other professionals such as doctors and attorneys that may be interacting with the individual on a fairly regular basis to be attuned to any expressions that might indicate the senior is thinking of suicide. It’s important to talk about the subject with them in a non-judgmental way and to provide appropriate help.

Ask For Help Or Lend A Non-Judgmental Ear

If you have considered taking your own life or have a loved one who has been considering this act, I invite you to listen to my podcast on the subject. It’s available 24/7/365 here. It’s good to have someone to talk with and for those who don’t have someone they feel they can discuss their feelings with, you might want to call the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

In many instances, especially in cases of debilitating chronic illness, success could be defined as dying well instead of making further attempts to prolong life. Dying well means having a well thought out plan. It includes having all your affairs in order so that those you leave behind don’t have to handle your affairs. It also means saying good-bye to your loved ones.

Get Your Affairs In Order Whether You’re Thinking Of Ending Life Or Not

If you are considering taking your life, the most loving thing you can do is to have your affairs in order. Even if you are not considering suicide, having your affairs in order is also the most loving thing you can do for when your life comes to its end, The Estate and Asset Protection Law Firm is here to help you get your affairs in order no matter what stage of life you are in. And putting a plan in place could be the greatest display of love that will mean the most to your family during this month of love and well beyond.

Looking to find an experienced estate lawyer in the Georgia area who is skilled in asset protection and estate plan preparation? Shannon Pawley is an attorney in Georgia with expertise in estate planning and asset protection. Shannon can provide assistance with creating an estate plan to include making a will and how to establish a trust properly. If you have questions about asset protection or questions about making an estate plan, reach out to Shannon and she will be glad to help answer all the estate planning questions you might have!

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