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Brandi Jean Felderhoff, Elder Suicide: Durkheim’s Vision. Stephen M. Marson, Social Work, Volume 67, Issue 1, January 2022, Page 94, https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swab054
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In the United States suicide rates among the top 10 leading causes of death, beginning at the 10- to 14-year age range, and remaining in the top 10, through to the oldest old. It is no secret among practitioners and providers working with the elderly that elder suicide is not an infrequent occurrence, especially among men over the age of 65. In the United States, this population subgroup has a suicide completion rate of 31 per 100,000, which is the highest completion rate of any age- or gender-related cohort. What is even more concerning about this population is that they tend to show fewer, if any, “risk factors” or warning signs, and generally complete suicide on their first attempt. In his book, Elder Suicide: Durkheim’s Vision, Stephen M. Marson provides a clear depiction of Durkheim’s theory through recounting social histories to identify circumstances that create suicide potential. Marson is a professor emeritus from the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He spent over 40 years in gerontological social work and has focused on studying sociological theories for suicide intervention of elderly clients.