TABLE 4—

Characteristics of Suicide Decedents Identified by Virginia Violent Death Reporting System Narratives: 2003–2011

Variable	Anticipating/Transitioning to LTC (n = 38), No. (%) or Mean ±SD	Family Member/Loved One in LTC (n = 16), No. (%) or Mean ±SD	Recently Discharged From LTC (n = 5), No. (%) or Mean ±SD
Age, y	78.7 ±9.6	75.5 ±12.2	75.6 ±6.4
Male	32 (84.2)	14 (87.5)	5 (100)
White race	36 (94.7)	16 (100)	5 (100)
Manner of injury
Firearm	30 (78.9)	14 (87.5)	< 5
Other	8	< 5	< 5
Contextual characteristics
History of psychiatric disorder	20 (52.6)	7 (43.8)	< 5
Current physical health condition	30 (78.9)	5 (31.3)	5 (100)
Verbal threat or previous suicide attempt	23 (60.5)	6 (37.5)	< 5

Note. LTC = long-term care. History of psychiatric disorder encompasses any condition (e.g., major depression, schizophrenia). Physical health problem encompasses any major medical condition that was identified as a precipitating factor in the death (e.g., cancer, Parkinson’s). Verbal threat or past attempt encompasses any explicit threat of self-harm or statements that the decedent “would rather die than live in a nursing home.”