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Care service use in 2 years preceding suicide among older adults: comparison with those who died a natural death and those who lived longer

Author

Listed:
  • Leena Forma

    (University of Tampere
    University of Tampere)

  • Mari Aaltonen

    (University of Tampere)

  • Jutta Pulkki

    (University of Tampere)

  • Jani Raitanen

    (University of Tampere
    The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research)

  • Pekka Rissanen

    (University of Tampere
    University of Tampere)

  • Marja Jylhä

    (University of Tampere)

Abstract

The aim of the study is (1) to describe and analyse health and social service use and medicine purchases in the last 2 years of life among older adults who died by suicide and (2) to compare use and purchases between three groups: those who died by suicide, died a natural death or who lived longer. Nation-wide Finnish register data were used. The data consist of 316,639 decedents who died at the age of 70 years or older in 1998–2008 and 222,967 people who lived longer. Use of hospital, long-term care and home care, and the purchase of prescribed psychotropic medications were studied for the 2-year period. Binary logistic regression analyses were applied. 1118 older adults died by suicide (0.4 % of all deaths). A majority of older adults who died by suicide had multiple somatic diseases and mental disorders, especially depression, and had contact with health and social services in the last 2 years of life. At the same level of morbidity, use of hospital and long-term care was less common among those who died by suicide than among those who died of natural causes, but more common than among those who lived longer. Those who died by suicide received less home care than those who lived longer. A high proportion of suicides occurred in the first month following hospital discharge. Health and social services should improve support for older adults with chronic diseases and depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Leena Forma & Mari Aaltonen & Jutta Pulkki & Jani Raitanen & Pekka Rissanen & Marja Jylhä, 2017. "Care service use in 2 years preceding suicide among older adults: comparison with those who died a natural death and those who lived longer," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 143-153, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:14:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s10433-016-0397-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-016-0397-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Polder, Johan J. & Barendregt, Jan J. & van Oers, Hans, 2006. "Health care costs in the last year of life--The Dutch experience," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(7), pages 1720-1731, October.
    2. Zhou Yang & Edward C. Norton & Sally C. Stearns, 2003. "Longevity and Health Care Expenditures," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(1), pages 2-10.
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