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a decline in functional ability due to multiple comorbid conditions,
bereavement and social isolation, which are all strongly linked with
self-harm.
During the 13-year study period, 4124 adults aged 65 years or
older had an episode of self-harm recorded in general practice
patient notes.
Drug overdose was the most common method of self-harm
(81 per cent), followed by self-cutting (6 per cent).
Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham from Keele University said
since drug ingestion is one of the main methods of self-harm, the
research “highlights the need to prescribe less toxic medication in
older adults for the management of both mental illness and pain
related conditions”.
Chew-Graham said: “We also recommend more frequent
follow-up of a patient following an initial episode of self-harm.”
The study found one in seven older adults self-harmed again
within a year of the initial episode.
Co-author Professor Nav Kapur said self-harm is not just a
problem for younger people.
“We hope our study will alert clinicians, service planners and
policymakers to the need to implement preventive measures
Study points to lack of referral for
for this potentially vulnerable group of people,” Kapur said.
older adults who self-harm.
“Referral and management of mental health conditions
are likely to be key.”
Australian researcher Associate Professor
ew older adults who self-harm in the UK
Rebecca Mitchell from Macquarie University said
are being referred for a specialist mental
further research needs to be done on self-harm
health assessment following a GP visit, a
among older adults, including the replication
Exploration of self-
new study has found.
of the UK research in other countries.
Published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal,
“Exploration of self-harm and suicide
harm and suicide
the large observational study found that
risk among older adults in long-term care
risk among older
around 90 per cent of seniors who had
facilities has been scant,” Mitchell said.
adults in long-term
harmed themselves, including overdosing
“Little is known regarding the factors that
on prescription drugs or self-cutting, weren’t
might influence or be protective of the risk of
care facilities has
referred on.
self-harm among residents in long-term care
been scant.
Study lead Dr Cathy Morgan, from the
compared with older adults living in the general
University of Manchester, said older adults often face
community.” ■
Self-harm neglected
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