Elderly “predisposed to suicide’

Press, 9 January 1984, Page 10

Elderly “predisposed to suicide’

Thomas Land reports from Oslo on a new challenge to all generations.

The typical elderly Westerner is female, aged more than 75 years, and living alone in a great population centre. She is older and considerably more prosperous and better educated than her parents were in their declining years. But unless social conditions improve radically, she may well remain predisposed to depression, alcoholism and suicide. This generalised picture based on current widespread research emerged at an important specialist conference here in Oslo, organised by the International Social Security Association. The meeting, attended by 50 experts from 18 countries, considered the organisation and finance of long-

term care for a rapidly increasing population of elderly and disabled people. This is an issue recently recognised as central to all social planning. There will be many such specialist meetings in the coming years as the world seeks a rational reponse to the rapid and relentless approach of the Age of Ageing. People aged 60 and more are in the fastest growing population group which will number 1100 million by the year 2025 — a five-fold

increase since 1950. Medical advance in the prevention and control of formerly fatal infectious diseases has enabled many to survive into an age at which they become more vulnerable to arthritis, rheumatism, heart disease, cancer, mental disorders, and other chronic illnesses causing disability. As more people live longer, chronic diseases which most commonly affect the middle-aged and the elderly have become statistically important

needs in humane environments, and enabling them eventually to die with dignity. The range of essential long-term support includes health care (such as medical examinations, prescriptions and the administration of drugs), personal care (dressing, hygiene, outings, meals), household care (cleaning, shopping, laundry), accommodation (which must be adapted according to each individual’s specific disability), social and psychological care, transport and income maintenance. The burden of long-term care thus constitutes a very real challenge to all generations. They must adjust to meet it.

causes of death, disability and dependency, especially in industrial societies. Ailments that are medically managed or controlled rather than cured are on the increase. Such conditions may afflict patients for decades, impairing their functional ability. Consequently, long-term care is increasingly in demand. It comprises medical, social, financial and personal benefits intended to give disabled people maximum possible independence while attending to their