Suicide risk in later life

Many people think of suicide as a risk mostly for young people. In the United States, though, the highest suicide rate among men is in those age 75 and older.¹ Later life can bring losses, illness and pain that build up over time. Depression and suicidal thoughts in older adults are often missed.

The good news is that depression in later life is treatable, and treatment lowers suicidal thoughts.⁴ Connection, purpose and good health care all protect. This page explains why risk rises, why it is easy to miss, what helps, and how families and doctors can ask.

How common is suicide in later life?

In 2024, U.S. men age 75 and older had a suicide rate of 40.1 per 100,000, or 4,405 deaths. That was the highest rate of any age group of men. For women 75 and older, the rate was much lower, at 4.6 per 100,000, and it fell by almost 10% from 2023.¹ The rate for the whole country was 13.7 per 100,000.¹

Older veterans face particular risk. In 2024, veterans age 75 and older had a suicide rate of 35.8 per 100,000. Their rate rose by about 5% from 2023, while rates fell in younger veterans.²

These numbers show a real risk. They do not mean that suicide is a normal or expected part of growing older. It is not, and it can be prevented.

Why risk rises in later life

There is rarely one cause. Instead, several risk factors often pile up at once. They include:³

• Depression and other mental health conditions. Depression is the strongest risk factor for suicide in later life.⁴ See Depression in later life.
• Physical illness, disability and pain, especially when there are several health problems at the same time. See Chronic pain and mood.
• Losses, such as the death of a spouse or friends, or losing independence, driving or a home. See Losing a spouse.
• Social isolation and relationship conflicts. See Loneliness in later life.
• Feeling like a burden to others.
• Alcohol or medicine misuse. See Alcohol and older adults.
• Trouble adjusting to change, such as retirement, and serious money problems. See Retirement and mental health.
• A past suicide attempt, or a family member who died by suicide.

Firearms in the home also matter. A review of 16 studies found that having access to a firearm was linked to about 3 times higher odds of suicide for people in the household.⁶ This is true at any age, and it is an important safety issue for older men.

Older adults who self-harm often describe losing control over their health or independence, growing loneliness, and feeling that aging has made them a burden.⁷

Why it is often missed

Suicide risk in later life can be hard to see. Here is why.

• Older adults talk about it less. They are less likely than younger adults to report serious suicidal thoughts or attempts.³
• Stigma runs deep. Many grew up when mental illness was seen as shameful. They may not see their feelings as a treatable illness.³
• Depression may not look like sadness. Older adults are more likely to describe aches, tiredness or poor sleep, which can look like other health problems.³
• Death wishes get brushed off. Statements like "I'm ready to go" or "I'm just a burden" may be dismissed as normal for age. A review of 86 studies found that passive death wishes share many risk features with active suicidal thoughts.⁸ They deserve a gentle, direct question.
• Early action matters even more. Suicide attempts are more likely to end in death in older adults than in younger people.³ This is a strong reason to act on early signs.

Older adults are often in touch with the health system. Most older adults who die by suicide have seen a primary care doctor in the months before.⁴ Among people of all ages, more than half saw a health care provider in the month before their death.⁵ In studies of older adults who self-harmed, nearly 3 in 10 had seen their primary care doctor in the week before.⁷ Each of these visits is a chance to ask.

What helps

The badges show how strong the research is. See how we rate evidence.

How families and caregivers can ask

You do not need to be a professional. These steps help.

1. Notice changes. Watch for withdrawal, giving things away, talk of being a burden, drinking more, neglecting medicines or meals, or new hopelessness after a loss or diagnosis.
2. Pick a quiet moment. Sit down together without rushing.
3. Ask in plain words. "Sometimes when people feel this low, they think about ending their life. Have you had thoughts like that?"
4. Listen. Do not argue about whether their life is worth living. Let them know you take their pain seriously.
5. Involve their doctor. Offer to make the appointment and go along. With their permission, share what you have noticed.
6. Make the home safer. Talk about firearms and medicines together, and agree on a plan.¹²
7. Stay in touch. Call or visit often. Small, regular contact matters.

Read more in Helping someone who may be thinking about suicide, When you are worried about suicide and Starting the conversation.

How doctors and nurses can ask

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends depression screening for all adults, including those 65 and older. It found the evidence too limited to recommend for or against routine suicide-risk screening on its own.⁹ Even so, when an older patient has depression, a recent loss or a new serious diagnosis, a clear question about suicide is part of good care.

Medicare covers one depression screening a year in a primary care setting for people with Part B. With Original Medicare, it costs nothing if your doctor accepts Medicare's payment terms.¹⁰ See What Medicare covers for mental health.

Tips for clinicians:

• Ask in private when possible, as well as with family present.
• Ask about both passive death wishes and active thoughts.⁸
• Ask about firearms at home and about how medicines are stored.
• Treat depression actively, and consider team-based care with a care manager.⁴
• Set up follow-up calls or visits, especially after a loss, a hospital stay or a new diagnosis.

When to get help

See a doctor if an older adult has low mood, loss of interest, hopelessness or talk of being a burden that lasts more than two weeks, or if they seem to be giving up on their health.

For more on mental health in later life, visit our older adults section.

Education only. This page is general information written from the sources listed. It is not medical, legal or financial advice and does not replace a doctor, therapist or lawyer who knows your situation. How we write and check pages.