Which of the following statements is true about suicides among older people?

• A. Suicide attempts among older adults are usually less lethal than those of younger individuals.
• B. Older people rarely experience suicidal thoughts.
• C. Suicide rates among older people are lower than those among adolescents.
• D. Older adults have higher suicide rates compared to most other age groups.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of suicide rates and behaviors across different age groups, focusing on older adults compared to younger individuals.
2. Step 2: Recognize that suicide attempts among older adults tend to be more lethal, not less, due to factors such as intent, method choice, and physical vulnerability.
3. Step 3: Note that older adults do experience suicidal thoughts, sometimes linked to factors like isolation, chronic illness, or depression, so the statement that they rarely experience such thoughts is false.
4. Step 4: Compare suicide rates by age group, understanding that older adults generally have higher completed suicide rates than adolescents, even if adolescents may attempt suicide more frequently.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the true statement is that older adults have higher suicide rates compared to most other age groups, reflecting the seriousness and lethality of suicide in this population.