#1 demographic for suicide among older adults is described as which group?

• A. Female, white, geriatric
• B. Male, Black, middle-aged
• C. Male, white, geriatric
• D. Female, Asian, elderly

Answer: (C)

In older adults, the group at highest risk for suicide is older white men. This group, typically 65 and older, shows the highest rates of completed suicide, often linked to factors like greater use of lethal means, social isolation, chronic illness, and reluctance to seek help. While women in older age may attempt suicide more often, men tend to complete suicide at higher rates, which is a key point for recognizing risk.

The other described groups don’t align with the highest-risk pattern: women generally have lower completion rates; racial groups such as Black or Asian older adults have lower suicide rates than white older adults; and middle-aged individuals are younger than the geriatric category.