NEWSWISE -- Each year, between 1,500 and 2,500 Americans die in a homicide-suicide. Older persons account for 500 to 900 of these tragic deaths and most involve older couples when an elderly man kills his wife and then turns the gun on himself, says Donna Cohen, a professor at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida.

Cohen's research has shown that generally the husband is suffering from depression, his wife is ill - often with Alzheimer's disease or other debilitating condition -- he is the caregiver, and some event, such as a move to a nursing home or his increasing disability is pending.

"What may at first appear as an act of love and mercy is more likely an act of depression and desperation," says Cohen, the nation's leading expert on elderly homicide-suicide. "The peak of the holiday season may also play a role in influencing such drastic and tragic actions."

Florida leads the nation in rates of homicide-suicide in the older population. Although the higher density of elderly residents plays a role in that unhappy statistic, Cohen says that the holiday season can intensify feelings of despair in the elderly, especially for those coping with chronic illnesses. She urges doctors, family members and friends to spend a little more time with the elderly to assess their mental well-being and the strain a caregiver may be under.

"These acts are not impulsive," maintains Cohen. "Normally, the man has been planning the event for a long time and most of these tragedies occur in the home rather than in hospitals or nursing homes. They can be prevented."

According to Cohen, a national newspaper survey of these events revealed that the age patterns for 293 homicide-suicides during the first six months of revealed that 21 percent were committed by elderly and the subtype was overwhelmingly spousal/consortial, at 75 percent. However, in Florida, 40 percent of homicide-suicides were committed by older persons.

Another of Cohen's study of men over 55 (median age 78) who kill their wives and then themselves showed that 61 percent of them were generally the wife's caretaker and had at least one psychiatric symptom, usually depression. However, only five percent of these men were receiving psychiatric care.

Cohen, citing the traumatic impact on survivors, suggests that friends and family can help save both lives and avoid their potential grief by looking for clues that could indicate drastic measures of desperation are being considered.

"Although every case is different, there are some trends," suggests Cohen. "In 30 percent of cases domestic violence is present and, in 70 percent, illness plays a role. The wife often has a serious chronic illness such as Alzheimer's disease and the husband is the caretaker. He may also have serious medical problems and the couple has become increasingly isolated socially. He carries a sense of hopelessness and has lost interest in activities."

Cohen has found that during the time prior to and just after a move to a long-term care faculty the risk for an elder's homicide-suicide is unusually high.

Cohen also suggests that friends and loved-ones not be afraid to be candid. Ask if the elderly person is considering a drastic measure. Ask if there is a gun in the home. Call a crisis hotline or involve a geriatric specialist if you suspect something is about to happen.

"Since the older perpetrator has likely thought about this for a long time, there is a window of opportunity for prevention," concludes Cohen. "Although intervention is complicated, there is help in the community. These deaths are tragic and unnecessary."

Source: University of South Florida