From 2000 to 2005, suicide rates among isolated Irish elderly living in rural areas have increased by 30 percent. The Samaritans, a leading charity in Ireland, reported a corresponding increase in calls to their hotline from elderly isolated from friends and family who have little time for their older relatives. The social and physical isolation of elders have been attributed to the rapid pace of social change, which has resulted in families moving into urban areas to work and take up residence. This change in family structure has led to loneliness and depression among elders, which is usually a precursor to suicide. 

Older people are now more at risk of killing themselves as a result of rapid social change.

Over a five-year period the rate of suicide among older people has gone up by one third, according to a leading charity. 

Those living in rural areas are becoming increasingly isolated as families and friends have less time to spare due to the stresses of modern living, according to the Samaritans. 

Director of the charity in Ireland, Suzanne Costello, said there has been a rise in the number of calls to their helplines from older people in rural areas. 
"We are very aware of it, increasingly we receive calls from older people who are very isolated from their communities and I think it is something most people are very aware of," said Ms Costello. 

"There seems to have been a lot of changes to rural life in the last 10 years which seems to be impacting on older people in particular. 

"Human contact seems to have diminished a great deal. ''The general day to day contact that you would have had seems to have degenerated to a large extent and that does seem to be affecting people. 

"It is the lack of time. Most people have families who do the best they can to look after older people and stay in contact with them. 

"But people have moved away now and jobs tend to be in urban areas and travelling times are longer. It is harder for people to do things in the evening and make contact with family in the same way that they would have done when they were all living closer together." 

Depression 

In 2000, 30 people over 65 took their own lives, which grew to 40 in 2005. Men outnumbered women by over two to one and it is widely accepted that there is significant under-reporting of figures in the area. 

A company providing monitored home alarms for the elderly has reported that a large majority of calls to its operators are due to loneliness. 

Gerry Bunting of Task Community Care said users of the service are activating the alarm to see if it works and then start talking to operators, sometimes up to 2am. 

Ms Costello said there was "significant anecdotal evidence" to indicate there were a high level of calls from rural areas. 

"Isolation and depression are the main reasons for calling, largely as result of limited or reduced contact with family, friends or everyday contact. Death of a spouse or partner and the family moving away increase vulnerability to loneliness and isolation," she said. 

More Information on Rural Aging Issues in the World

More Information on Rural Aging Issues in the US