However, he reiterated that this isn’t always the case. “Sometimes, the seniors who died by suicide were living with their spouses and families but were not socially supported. They experience loneliness, face financial difficulties or suffer from physical impairments that contribute to their beliefs of being a burden to others or losing purpose.”
Roberts agreed. “I believe what cuts across is not the housing type but the sense of loneliness, despair and lack of purpose,” he said. “In reality, many who took their lives were still married and were wonderful grandparents.”
WHY ARE THEY RELUCTANT TO SEEK HELP?
“Among my senior end-of-life patients, their reluctance to seek help comes from a mix of factors which often reinforce each other,” said Dr Ee.
He continued: “They often lack knowledge of available services that exist in the community or senior activity centres. Some believe that help is only available at the hospitals, which feels intimidating or costly”.
Then, there’s the strong cultural belief to not “air your dirty laundry” for fear of inviting gossip that they are seeking psychological help, said Dr Ee. “They may sometimes feel that it is a failure on their part, and view seeking help as a sign of weakness or having to trouble others.”
Others may find it inconvenient and/or costly to seek help, especially if they face financial difficulties or have mobility issues, said Dr Ee.
