AACOG Area Agencies on Aging-Suicide Intervention

BEXAR Area Agency on Aging

Long Term Care Services / Ombudsman Program

Nick Monreal – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer

The Bexar Ombudsman Program has established a Suicide Prevention/Intervention and Awareness Project, which focuses on the elderly as a population at risk. Working through the nationally recognized ASIST Model, we will plan, develop, and implement programs that create a multigenerational / sociocultural approach to suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention. The AACOG / ASIST trainers have been certified by the Living Works Program, from Calgary, Canada, which is accredited by the National Suicidology Association.

The ASIST project will address various research-based components of “Best Practice Models” that are part of the DHHS / Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action. This concept focuses on the need for public awareness and involvement in suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention measures that meet the needs of our nation’s elderly in long term and/or acute care. The project demonstrates a proactive state of urgency to address this national and critical health care issue, which affects our elderly.

Risk factors for suicide among older persons (65 yrs.+) differ from those among other age groups. In addition to a higher prevalence of depression, older persons are more socially isolated and more frequently use highly lethal methods, have often visited a health-care provider before their suicide, and have more physical illnesses, (the highest suicide rates of any age group occur among persons 65 years or older).

Several factors relative to those over 65 years will play a role in future suicide rates among the elderly, including growth in the absolute and proportionate size of that population (Baby Boomers); health status; availability of services, and attitudes about aging and suicide.

Suicide can happen in any family. However, life events commonly associated with elderly suicide are: the death of a loved one; physical illness; uncontrollable pain; fear of dying a prolonged death that damages family members emotionally and economically social isolation and loneliness; and major changes in social roles, such as retirement.

The project addresses a need to provide equal access and training opportunities for: Long Term Care Facility Staff, Certified Ombudsmen, Family Caregivers, Students, Community Advocates, etc. These training resources will provide awareness and skills in identification of potential elder suicide risk factors, Examples: Changes in eating or sleeping habits, Unexplained fatigue or apathy, Withdrawal from family, friends or social activities, Trouble concentrating or being indecisive, Crying for no apparent reason, Loss of interest in personal appearance, Talk about or seem preoccupied with death, Giving away of prized possessions, Failure to take prescribed medicines or follow required diets.

FOR TRAINING INFORMATION: Please contact Nick Monreal at (210) 362-5236 or e-mail nmonreal@aacog.com.

Access to Benefits Coalition Additional Aging Resources Alamo Aging Area Plan Alamo Area Gold Pages Benefits CheckUp Program Bexar County Area Plan FY2004-2006 Caregiver Resource Centers in Rural Counties Elders Advocacy Network Education Workshops Kinship Caregiver Resource Guide Publications Region Newsletter Senior Advisory Committees Calendars, Members, and Minutes Senior Fire Safety & Falls Prevention Program \| English Translation Transcript Suicide Prevention/Intervention and Awareness Project Support Groups for Grandparents or Older Relatives Raising Children Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (TSHL) Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services TEXERCISE
	*BEXAR Area Agency on Aging* *Long Term Care Services / Ombudsman Program* Nick Monreal – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer The Bexar Ombudsman Program has established a Suicide Prevention/Intervention and Awareness Project, which focuses on the elderly as a population at risk. Working through the nationally recognized ASIST Model, we will plan, develop, and implement programs that create a multigenerational / sociocultural approach to suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention. The AACOG / ASIST trainers have been certified by the Living Works Program, from Calgary, Canada, which is accredited by the National Suicidology Association. The ASIST project will address various research-based components of “Best Practice Models” that are part of the DHHS / Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s *National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action.* This concept focuses on the need for public awareness and involvement in suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention measures that meet the needs of our nation’s elderly in long term and/or acute care. The project demonstrates a proactive state of urgency to address this national and critical health care issue, which affects our elderly. Risk factors for suicide among older persons (65 yrs.+) differ from those among other age groups. In addition to a higher prevalence of depression, older persons are more socially isolated and more frequently use highly lethal methods, have often visited a health-care provider before their suicide, and have more physical illnesses, (the highest suicide rates of any age group occur among persons 65 years or older). Several factors relative to those over 65 years will play a role in future suicide rates among the elderly, including growth in the absolute and proportionate size of that population (Baby Boomers); health status; availability of services, and attitudes about aging and suicide. Suicide can happen in any family. However, life events commonly associated with elderly suicide are: the death of a loved one; physical illness; uncontrollable pain; fear of dying a prolonged death that damages family members emotionally and economically social isolation and loneliness; and major changes in social roles, such as retirement. The project addresses a need to provide equal access and training opportunities for: *Long Term Care Facility Staff, Certified Ombudsmen, Family Caregivers, Students, Community Advocates, etc.* These training resources will provide awareness and skills in identification of potential elder suicide risk factors, Examples: Changes in eating or sleeping habits, Unexplained fatigue or apathy, Withdrawal from family, friends or social activities, Trouble concentrating or being indecisive, Crying for no apparent reason, Loss of interest in personal appearance, Talk about or seem preoccupied with death, Giving away of prized possessions, Failure to take prescribed medicines or follow required diets. FOR TRAINING INFORMATION: Please contact Nick Monreal at (210) 362-5236 or e-mail nmonreal@aacog.com.