Elder Suicide.

Suicide among elders in nursing homes in Italy has risen.

The survey of Italian seniors living in long-term care facilities revealed that the suicide rate was nearly 19 per 100,000 people. The average rate for seniors over the age of 65 is 14 per 100,000 people, according to researchers from the University of Rochester in New York. Risk factors for suicide include depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation or loss.

Millions of seniors in the U.S. live in assisted living or skilled nursing facilities. These institutions can help by screening for depression upon admission, monitoring a new resident's adjustment to the facility, and helping to control any pain the resident experiences, according to researchers.