Introduction
Many of the elderly individuals have found themselves living in nursing homes either by choice or as a necessity. Research has shown that over 20% of the older adults experience such relocations (Podgorski, Langford, Pearson, & Conwell, 2010). Such facilities are usually designed to accommodate lifestyle preferences in order to make the stay pleasant. However, several factors contribute to stress among the older adults living in nursing homes. Firstly, the factors that contributed to the reasons for relocation into nursing homes may cause stress. These factors may include the loss of a caregiver or spouse, debilitating physical health issues, and the inability to function effectively. Another factor that may cause stress is the adjustment process at the facility. These factors have led to suicides among the elderly. However, these factors vary between the community and the nursing homes. Therefore, the rates of suicide differ depending on whether the individual is living among family members or in a nursing care facility.
Suicidal attempts among the elderly in the community and in nursing homes
The issue of suicide among the elderly is controversial because society has different beliefs and makes several assumptions. Many people believe that taking their elderly to nursing homes would result in better health and more fulfilling life. However, research suggests otherwise. Ron (2004) argued that elderly individuals experience certain losses as a consequence of their age. The losses include the physiological changes that come about with old age, loss of functionality, social issues, mental issues, and financial constraints. He argued that placement in the facilities results in environmental isolation. It is also possible for such individuals to feel lonely and anxious. These elderly individuals may also lack a motivation to continue living and get depressed. For this reason, they may start having suicidal ideologies or actually commit suicide.
Podgorski, Langford, Pearson and Conwell (2010) argued that despite the fact that the elderly makeup about 12% of the population in the U.S., this small population is responsible for fourteen percent of all suicides. Studies have shown that there are generally fewer cases of suicides within the residential communities as compared to the nursing facilities. Mezuk, Prescott, Tardiff, Vlahov, and Galea (2008) suggested that long-term care helps to protect elderly individuals from committing suicide. This is usually made possible through ensuring high surveillance and reduction of access to lethal means. However, there are several risk factors associated with this. For example, elderly individuals in other facilities may anticipate placement into long-term care. The individuals may become stressed due to sudden changes in the environment and become depressed probably due to low social support.
A study on this issue was done between 1990 and 2005. Initially, the rate of suicide was significantly higher in the community as compared to that in the long-term care facilities. However, the rate decreased significantly among the community elders but the rate remained the same for the long-term care facilities. The factors that were identified to contribute to suicidal attempts in these nursing homes included the large size of the facilities and high staff turnover.
Ron (2004) compared the conditions that surrounded the elderly individuals living with family member in the community and those living away from family in the nursing care facilities. Those elderly individuals living with family members experienced emotional support. They could have control over their own lives. They could also make their own decisions regarding their day-to-day activities. However, the case was different for the individuals living in nursing homes. The results from the study by Ron suggested that individuals living in nursing homes experienced more hopelessness, depression and helplessness. Therefore, he suggested that nurses should provide special care during the initial stages of placement and adjustment. These stages were believed to cause stress and depression among the elderly and resulted in suicide.
Pros and cons of Nursing homes for the elderly
There are several advantages associated with nursing homes for the elderly. Firstly, it is a place where the elderly are provided special attention and care. With surveillance, it is possible to monitor the individuals’ behavior and to help prevent suicide. However, there are several disadvantages associated with nursing homes. They take individuals away from family where they would have received emotional support. Elderly individuals in nursing homes also lack a sense of direction and lack motivation to continue living. Despite the presence of surveillance and immediate attention, the elderly individuals may continue with self-harming behaviors such as refusing to eat or take medication (Reiss & Tishler, 2008).
My views about the issue
In my view, the elderly individuals should not be relocated to nursing homes. This appears like an attempt to do away with one of your own. Persons who place older adults in nursing homes put them through stressful and depressing conditions that may cause lead to suicidal attempts. Studies have shown that individuals who stay in nursing homes lack control over their own lives and feel isolated and lonely. They may see no need to continue living and resort to suicide. However, those living with family member may experience the love from family and see the need to continue living. They are also in a position to make their own decisions. Therefore, those individuals living with family in the community are less likely to have suicidal thoughts than those living in nursing homes. This issue is significant to me and the nursing profession as a whole since proper nursing care is required in order to ensure that the elderly individual is monitored and attended to appropriately during the adjustment process.
Conclusion
Many families choose to relocate their older family member into nursing homes for several reasons. They may be relocated due to their deteriorating health condition or due to their decline in physical function. They may also be relocated if they lose a spouse or caregiver. It has been suggested that the reasons for relocation and the adjustment process may be stressful and lead to depression and possibly suicide. Therefore, it is appropriate to make the adjustment process manageable in order to reduce risks of suicide among the elderly. Elderly individuals living in the community also have emotional support from family and are less likely to have suicidal thoughts as compared to those living in nursing homes.
References
Mezuk, B., Prescott, M., Tardiff, K., Vlahov, D., & Galea, S. (2008). Suicide in older adults in long-term care: 1990 to 2005. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 56(11), 2107-2111.
Podgorski, C., Langford, L., Pearson, J., & Conwell, Y. (2010). Suicide prevention for older adults in residential communities: Implications for policy and practice. PLOS, 7(5), 1-5.
Reiss, N., & Tishler, C. (2008). Suicidality in nursing home residents: Part II. special issues. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(3), 271-275.
Ron, P. (2004). Depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation among the elderly: A comparison between men and women living in nursing homes and in the community. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 43(2), 97-116.