Presenter: Chana A. Sacks, MD, MPH
Date: October 2, 12PM-1:30PM CT
Across the US, the rate of death from suicide is highest among older adults, and 70% of these deaths are due to firearms. While interdependent factors drive suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among older adults including depression, cognitive impairment and dementia, medical co-morbidity, and isolation, whether a suicide attempt results in death is largely determined by the utilized means. Intentional overdoses are fatal in 2% of cases, compared with firearms, which are fatal 90% of the time. Therefore, suicide prevention efforts specifically for older adults require a focus on firearm access and safety, necessitating that clinicians who care for older adults are equipped with the skills needed to have accurate and culturally competent conversations with patients and families. This session will review the context related to firearm suicide among older adults and focus on concrete clinical skills to improve care for this population.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the scope and impact of firearm-related injuries among older adults.
- Develop a clinical framework to recognize older adult patients who may be at risk of firearm-related injuries.
- Recognize specific steps clinicians can take to mitigate the risk of firearm injuries among older adults.
