Blue Zone Suicide

The levels of depression also correlated between the amount and severity of any physical conditions that the elderly person(s) had. One of the biggest problems in the elderly community is suicide, which on average is four times higher than any other age group (Day). Suicide is one of the most overlooked problems in the elderly. Physicians do not normally diagnose it and dismiss the risk. The elderly also cannot access the physicians as often, as previously stated. Cost is an accompanying issue, as the geriatrics may be prohibited based on financial availability. According to Long Term Care 70% of the elderly population commit suicide after unsatisfactory doctor visitations. “We see evidence of this bias towards older Americans especially in

Evidence shows that in places referred to as Blue Zones. Blue Zones were found around 2005 by Dan Buettner as he was analyzing that the American lifespan was, on average, 72 years, but there were some people living to well over 100. Buettner teamed up with National Geographic and had a list of criteria they used to searched the world. In the end they discovered places they called the Blue Zones. Additions to these zones have been since made. Originally, they found Barbagia Region of Sabrinia, Ikaria, Greece, Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, Seventh Day Adventists California, and Okinawa. Each of these places had exceptionally high mortality rates. And all of these places exhibited nine common challenges when considering geriatric health. The first one was moving naturally. “They didn’t pump iron or run marathons but their environments urged them to get up and do things without thinking about it.” (Buettner) Another one of the things on the list was that they had social norms that put family first as a priority and that healthy eating was encouraged (Buettner). They do not have all the shortcuts that technology offers. A Grecian man lives with his daughter and granddaughter, ages 80 and 60 respectively. He wakes up every morning and has to cut down the foliage that has grown over the night, keeping him active and healthy. He lives in a Blue Zone and due to a lack of a birth certificate, his age is unknown, but is still

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