Behavior Of Elderly Patients Research Articles

Comparing Personality Traits and Resilience Among Treatment-Seeking and Treatment-avoidant Elderly with Health Anxiety Disorder

Introduction: Treatment-seeking behaviors in elderly patients can facilitate timely diagnosis and effective intervention for health issues, whereas treatment-avoidant behaviors may contribute to the progression of diseases and an increased burden of chronic conditions. Understanding the psychological factors influencing these behaviors is crucial for improving health outcomes in this population. This study aimed to compare personality traits and resilience among elderly patients with health anxiety who exhibit treatment-seeking versus treatment-avoidant behaviors. Methods: This fundamental research employed a causal-comparative design. The statistical population consisted of elderly patients with health anxiety who referred to Healthcare Centers in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, in 2023. A sample of 60 patients was selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Salkowski Health Anxiety Inventory. Hypotheses were tested using MANOVA. Results: Significant differences were observed between treatment-seeking and treatment-avoidant patients in terms of personality traits and resilience (F (2, 57) = 11.28, p < 0.05). The findings highlighted that individuals with certain personality traits and higher levels of resilience were more inclined to seek treatment. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of considering personality traits and resilience as key factors when developing strategies for encouraging appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviors among elderly patients with health anxiety. Understanding these factors can inform tailored interventions to reduce treatment avoidance and improve overall health management.

Awareness: the Golden Key to Understanding Healthcare Seeking Behavior among Elderly Hypertensive Patients in Taft, Iran

Introduction: Healthcare seeking behavior is crucial for early detection and proper management of hypertension in the elderly. This study investigated the factors influencing healthcare seeking behavior among elderly hypertensive patients residing in Taft, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 230 hypertensive individuals aged 60 and above residing in Taft, Yazd Province, Iran. Participants were randomly selected and completed a questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire assessed their healthcare seeking behaviors and potential influencing factors. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Correlation tests and linear regression analysis were employed to identify significant relationships (p < 0.05). Results: A significant majority (70%) of participants reported always paying attention to symptoms of high blood pressure. When experiencing symptoms, over half (53.9%) of the participants indicated a preference for visiting health centers, general practitioners' offices, or emergency departments. Among the factors studied, awareness (B = 0.228) emerged as the most significant positive predictor of healthcare seeking behavior (p < 0.05). Other positive influences included decision-making autonomy (B = 0.177), prior experience with healthcare services (B = 0.131), and social support (B = 0.131) – all statistically significant at p < 0.05. Conversely, barriers to healthcare seeking had a negative and significant impact (B = - 0.064, p < 0.05). Collectively, the investigated factors explained 23% of the variation observed in healthcare seeking behavior among the elderly participants (R2 = 0.23). Conclusion: This study identified awareness of hypertension as the strongest predictor of healthcare seeking behavior in elderly patients. Additionally, providing accessible and supportive healthcare services can further encourage elderly hypertensive patients to seek necessary care.

A qualitative study on inner experience of self-management behavior among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in rural areas

BackgroundAs a chronic metabolic disease, diabetes poses a serious threat to human health and has become a major public health problem in China and worldwide. In 2020, 30% of Chinese people (aged ≥ 60 years) reported having diabetes mellitus. Moreover, individuals with diabetes living in rural areas face a significantly higher mortality risk compared to those in urban areas. In this study, we explored the inner experience of self-management behaviors in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in rural areas to inform targeted interventions.MethodsA phenomenological research design was used to explore the inner experience of self-management in rural elderly diabetes. Ten elderly diabetic patients were sampled from December 2022 to March 2023 in rural areas of Yangcheng County, Jincheng City, ShanXi Province, China. The seven-step Colaizzi phenomenological was used to analyze the interview data and generate themes.ResultsFour themes emerged: “Insufficient self-management cognition”, “Negative self-management attitude”, “Slack self-management behavior”, and “No time for self-management”.ConclusionThe level of self-management among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in rural areas is low. Healthcare professionals should develop targeted interventions aimed at enhancing their cognitive levels, modifying their coping styles, and improving their self-management abilities to improve their quality of life.

Factors Influencing Medication Adherence in Elderly Patients with Hypertension: A Single Center Study in Western China.

To develop and empirically test a conceptual model that explains the factors influencing antihypertensive medication adherence behavior in elderly patients in a city in western China. The conceptual model was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Health Belief Model and was empirically tested using cross-sectional survey data from Nanchong City, a city in western China, collected between October and December 2020. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Behavioral intentions were the main predictor of medication adherence behavior (path coefficient of 0.353). Perceived benefits and perceived barriers directly (path coefficient = 0.201 and -0.150, respectively), and indirectly (path coefficient = 0.118 and -0.060) through behavioral intentions, influenced medication adherence behavior. Perceived susceptibility (path coefficient = 0.390) and perceived severity (path coefficient = 0.408) influenced behavioral attitudes, which influenced behavioral intentions (path coefficient = 0.298). The conceptual model demonstrates a robust ability to predict and explain medication adherence behavior among elderly patients with hypertension, facilitating the adoption and maintenance of changes in adherence behavior and the potential for preventing disease progression and improving quality of life.

Self-care behaviors in older adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis: Application of theory of planned behavior.

Osteoarthritis is one of the main reasons causing disablement. Educational intervention for self-care behaviors of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis is important because its effect on quality of patient life decreases the economic burden of disorder on society and family. This study aimed to investigate the effect of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on promoting self-care behaviors in elderly patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 200 elderlies suffering from knee osteoarthritis in the rheumatology clinics of Shiraz, Iran, in 2019. The subjects were divided into two groups (100 experimental and 100 control). Before and after 4 months, both experimental and control groups filled a questionnaire. After administering a pre-test to both groups, only the experimental group was trained based on the TPB constructs on self-care behaviors in elderly people suffering from knee osteoarthritis in eight sessions by presenting educational films and images, power points, and group discussions for solving problems. The mean age of the experimental group was 67.25 ± 3.64, and the mean age of the control group was 66.12 ± 3.50. The average scores of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, and behavior before the educational intervention did not have significant differences in experimental and control groups, however, 4 months after the educational intervention, the paired t-test indicated significant enhancement in every construct in the experimental group, but no significant changes in the control group. According to the results, the educational intervention increased the self-care behaviors of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis based on the theory of planned behavior. Therefore, the results of this study can be used in theory-based intervention strategies for self-care behaviors of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

P640 Characteristics of elderly onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a cohort of Hispanics

Abstract Background The incidence and prevalence of elderly-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (EO-IBD), defined as diagnosed >60 y/o, is increasing. The natural history of this cohort is unclear. Disease behavior in elderly patients may differ between adult onset IBD (AO-IBD) and EO-IBD. Comorbidities, age-related frailty and side effects of medications are challenges. We compare a cohort of Hispanic EO-IBD and elderly AO-IBD patients in the IBD Registry, a database collecting demographic and medical data of patients since 1995. Methods Of 1345 subjects,122 were ≥60 y/o at recruitment, including AO and EO subjects. Variables included age at diagnosis, gender, IBD type, family history of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), disease extent, extraintestinal manifestations (EIM), surgery, and medications. Descriptive statistics were calculated for interval and ratio variables. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for nominal variables cross-tabulated by age of diagnosis. The study is approved by the IRB. Results Of the 122 subjects, 59 (48.4%) had AO-IBD and 63 (51.6%) EO-IBD. Mean age of diagnosis was 49.6 y/o for the AO group and 66.4 y/o for the EO group, disease duration was 15.37 yr for AO and 3.73 yr for EO (P<.001). Female gender was more frequent (52.5%: AO, 55.6%: EO-IBD). Most were non-smokers (AO: 57.6%, EO:54%). UC was more common (AO: 62.7%, EO: 60.3%). Family history of CD was low (AO: 6.8%, EO: 6.4%), while family history of UC was more frequent in AO-IBD (18.6% vs 12.7 % in EO-IBD). Small bowel CD was the most frequent (48%) in both groups. UC extension was most commonly pancolitis (AO:58%, EO: 41%. Corticosteroid and biologic use were higher in AO-IBD (see table). EIMs were reported by 41% of AO and 27% of EO, the most frequent was joint involvement (17% AO and 16% EO). Cancer was reported in 3.4% of AO-IBD and 1.6% of EO-IBD. Osteoporosis was reported on 14% of AO-IBD and only 2% in EO-IBD. Surgery was more frequent in the AO group, 41% (n = 24) vs 24% (n = 15) in EO. Conclusion Baseline characteristics, disease location and behavior were similar in AO and EO IBD groups. Use of corticosteroids, biologics and surgery were less frequent in the EO-IBD group (not significant). Whether these findings are related to a shorter disease duration, less severe disease or a more conservative management dictated by age and co-morbidities needs to be explored. Selecting the appropriate treatment option for elderly individuals is an important clinical issue.

Self-care Behavior and Frailty Syndrome among Elderly Patients with Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: The development of technology gives an impact on life expectancy in the elderly. In Yogyakarta, the total of the elderly was higher than in other provinces in Indonesia. The elderly experience a decreased functional state that may lead to impaired body organs, such as heart failure. Heart failure has increasingly become a serious health problem. At present, 80% of elderly patients experience heart failure because of a decrease in functional status. The elderly may also experience frailty syndrome, which can provide a poor prognosis in terms of mortality, rehospitalization, and quality of life. It needs complex management; one of these is self-care behavior that can prevent the spread of frailty syndrome. AIM: The study aims to assess the correlation between self-care behavior and frailty syndrome in elderly patients with heart failure. METHODS: The study included 87 elderly patients with heart failure who visited the cardiology outpatient unit in two private hospitals. Self-care was measured using the self-care heart failure index, and frailty syndrome was assessed using the frailty index. A correlation test was conducted using Spearman rho. RESULTS: The result showed inadequate self-care behavior with a mean score of 48.70. The mean score of frailty syndrome was 0.142, categorized in the pre-frail phase. No correlation was found between self-care behavior and frailty syndrome with p=0.20. CONCLUSION: Self-care behavior in elderly patients with heart failure is still inadequate and in the pre-frail phase. Nurses and other health professionals should consider intervention to increase self-care behavior among the elderly and screening to increase their awareness of frailty syndrome.

Cognitive emotional regulation strategy and melancholic personality behavior in elderly patients with chronic functional constipation

Cognitive emotional regulation strategy and melancholic personality behavior in elderly patients with chronic functional constipation

Elderly patients with hypertension self-perceived of aging status and compliance with medical behaviour

ABSTRACT At present, it is rare for studies to be performed on the impact of self-perceptions of aging on the compliance behaviour of elderly people.The present study explored the relationship between self-perceived of aging level and compliance behavior among asample of elderly Chinese hypertension patients. Participants (N=1129) were recruited from four community health service centres and two township hospitals in Suzhou. Self-perceptions of aging represent an independent risk factor for compliance behaviour in elderly patients with hypertension. Self-perceptions of aging had acute/chronic timeliness (OR=0.793), periodic timeliness (OR=1.439), emotional representation (OR=0.735), positive results (OR=1.322), and identity latitude (OR=0.995). Gender (OR=1.390), age (OR=1.982), residence (OR=7.037), hypertension grade (OR=0.598), sleep (OR=1.709), number of hospital admissions in a year (OR=2.757), number of daily uses of antihypertensive drugs (OR=0.338), and frequency of blood pressure measurement (OR=0.387) were independent factors affecting the compliance behavior of elderly patients with hypertension. The results suggest that self-perceptions of aging can be used as an indirect index to monitor the compliance behaviour of the elderly. In the future medical staff should combine the characteristics of the elderly patients with hypertension, which would help them to establish a positive self-perception of aging, thus improving their compliance behaviour, and the levels of health and literacy.

HEALTHY BEHAVIORS ADJUSTMENT IN THE ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Liver cirrhosis is a dangerous ,serious, and irreversible disease. The liver tissue isreplaced with fibrotic scar tissue as regenerative nodules. Elderly patients with cirrhoticliver disease experience severe symptoms with negative and bad impacts on their dailyactivities ,healthy behaviors, and health life. Elderly patients should deal with thememotionally, socially, and physically. Aim: Assess healthy behaviors adjustment in theelders with chronic liver cirrhosis. Method: A descriptive research design was utilized`.Setting:This study was conducted at medical department located in the third floor inTalkha Central Hospital and contains 30 beds affilitated to the Ministry of Health and atmedical department located in the second floor in Specialized Medical Hospital andcontains 45 beds affilitated to Mansoura University. Subjects: The study included 290cirrhotic elderly patients. Tools: Data related to this study was collected using four tools, Ӏ:Socio- demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, Π: Barthel Index Scale,Ш: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, ӀV: Jalowiec coping scale. Results:There was astrong positive statistically significance relation between functional status, psychologicalhealth status (P= 0.000*), and total affective coping behavior in elderly patients (P=0.008*). Conclusion&Recommendations:There was a strong positive statisticallysignificance relation between functional status ,psychological health status, and totalaffective coping behavior in elders .

Research on multifunctional beds for behavioral disorders in the elderly

Objective Through the redesign of hospital beds, we seek better ways for elderly patients to encounter various problems due to physical mobility disorder, and to solve elderly patients, especially elderly patients with severe physical activities, in medical treatment and daily care. Methods Taking the treatment and rehabilitation needs of elderly patients as the design direction and ergonomics as the design standard, the observation method, investigation method and scenario analysis method are used to analyze the active and passive migration of elderly patients in the medical environment. The behavioral needs and behavioral state were recorded, evaluated and analyzed, and the actual problems and causes of the elderly patients due to physical movement were analyzed with the purpose and path of the behavior as clues. Conclusion Through the redesign of hospital beds, we can solve all kinds of problems that elderly patients encounter because of their body movement disorder in the process of seeking medical treatment, avoid secondary injury caused by inappropriate active or passive movement behavior of elderly patients, improve the safety and comfort of elderly patients in the process of seeking medical treatment and rehabilitation, and improve hospital doctors at the same time.

Effects of a peer education program in elderly patients with osteoporosis in the community

Objective To explore the impact of peer education on the knowledge,self-efficacy and behavior of elderly patients with osteoporosis in community. Methods Two communities in Urumqi were sampled by convenient sampling method,and were randomly divided into control community and intervention community. Each community included 73 elderly patients with osteoporosis. In contrast to the community to give regular health education, intervention community to give peer education on the basis of regular health education. The knowledge, self-efficacy and health related behavior scores of osteoporosis were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results Before intervention, the intervention group′s scores (12.60 ± 2.57, 55.74 ± 2.07, 6.08 ± 1.44) about osteoporosis related knowledge, self-efficacy and health related behavior were like and the control group(12.53 ± 2.90, 55.75 ± 2.05, 6.12 ± 1.04) points. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The post-intervention intervention group(17.02 ± 1.56, 55.74 ± 2.07, 7.01 ± 1.19) scored higher than the control group (15.07 ± 2.02, 55.75 ± 2.05, 6.23 ± 1.35) score on knowledge, self-efficacy, and health-related behavior related to osteoporosis. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion Peer education model can effectively improve the knowledge, self-efficacy and health-related behavior of the elderly patients with osteoporosis in the community. Key words: Community; Aged; Osteoporosis; Peer education

Fall behaviors and risk factors among elderly patients with hip fractures

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate fall preventive behaviors in elderly patients who suffered hip fractures as a result of falling.Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed at a university hospital in Izmir, Turkey between January 2014 and December 2015. Data were collected using the Fall Behaviors Scale for Old People. This study was conducted with 103 patients who had a hip fracture caused by falling. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used.Results: There was a significant difference between age groups in this score (KW = 6.85, p = 0.03). The patients aged 85-96 years obtained significantly higher scores for the sub-scales of protective mobility (KW = 8.71, p = 0.01) and avoidance (KW = 6.03, p = 0.04) than patients in the other age groups. There was not a significant difference in fall prevention behaviors between the elderly with a history of a repeated falls and those without a repeated fall history.Conclusion: Although elderly people with hip fractures due to falling has highly protective behavior, they have fallen. Advanced age patient has showed more protective behavior for falling.

A model of adaptation for families of elderly patients with dementia: focusing on family resilience

ABSTRACTObjectives: We constructed a model explaining families’ positive adaptation in chronic crisis situations such as the problematic behavior of elderly patients with dementia and attendant caregiving stress, based on the family resilience model. Our aim was to devise an adaptation model for families of elderly patients with dementia.Method: A survey of problematic behavior in elderly patients with dementia, family stress, family resilience, and family adaptation was conducted with 292 consenting individuals. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Results: The communication process, family stress, and problematic behavior of elderly patients with dementia had direct and indirect effects on family adaptation, while belief system, organization pattern, and social support had indirect effects. Specifically, family stress and more severe problematic behavior by elderly patients with dementia negatively influenced family adaptation, while greater family resilience improved such adaptation.Conclusion: Interventions aiming to enhance family resilience, based on the results of this study, are required to help families with positive adaptation. Such family programs might involve practical support such as education on the characteristics of elderly persons with dementia and coping methods for their problematic behavior; forming self-help groups for families; revitalizing communication within families; and activating communication channels with experts.

Validation of a dried blood spot method for therapeutic drug monitoring of citalopram, mirtazapine and risperidone and its active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone using HPLC–MS

Citalopram, mirtazapine and risperidone are frequently prescribed for psychiatric illnesses such as depression and psychosis or for aggressive behavior in elderly patients with dementia. The plasma concentrations vary greatly between patients, especially in elderly patients. Thus, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) increases the safety of antipsychotic treatment and a more rapid response to treatment may be achieved. To facilitate TDM, the objectives of this study were to develop and validate a reliable dried blood spot method to simultaneously quantify citalopram, mirtazapine and risperidone including its active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone. The blood punches were extracted by methanol using an ultrasonic bath, purified by liquid–liquid extraction and analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC–MS). All acceptance criteria of the EMA and FDA guidelines for method validation were fulfilled. Linearity was shown over the range of 2.5–300μg/L for all substances. The analytes were stable for at least one month at all investigated storage conditions, including storing at room temperature exposed to light. Retrieving capillary blood by finger-pricking the assay was successfully applied in elderly patients. Venous serum samples were drawn simultaneously to compare capillary blood with serum concentrations. Given the validated results and the calculated capillary blood:serum ratio, the studied dried blood spot method offers an excellent application in TDM and can be applied in ambulatory care.

Factors Influencing Health Behavior in Elderly Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Purpose: This study was done to identify the factors influencing health behavior in elderly patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: The study participants were 145 patients with chronic low back pain who attended an orthopedic surgery outpatient clinic in Seoul. The questionnaire was composed of general characteristics, back pain related characteristics, pain, depression, family support, and health behavior. Results: The mean scores were 6.54 for back pain, 6.21 for depression, 37.25 for family support and 97.90 for health behavior. There were significant correlations between pain and depression, between family support and health behavior, between pain and family support, between pain and health behavior, between health depression and family support, and between health depression and health behavior. The factors influencing health behavior of elderly patients with chronic low back pain were depression and family support. Conclusion: The findings suggest that elderly patients with chronic low back pain need interventions to promote positive health behavior by decreasing depression and improving family support. 주요어: 요통, ë ¸ì¸, 우울, 가족, 건강행위 Key Words: Low back pain, Aged, Depression, Family, Health behavior

Proportion and Factors Predicted Self- Medication in Elderly Population in Yogyakarta

Pharmacists should give more attention in giving pharmaceutical care services to the elderly patients, because the decrease of physiological function could result more drug related problems. Currently, elderly patients are interesting to do self- medication before visiting the physician. Thus, our study was aimed to understand the proportion of elderly patients who are interesting to do the self-medication and to explore the factors predicted self-medication behavior. This study was carried out by cross-sectional design. Data was collected by doing interview and giving questionnaire to the 544 elderly patients in the pharmacies of Yogyakarta Province which were chosen by proportional area sampling method. Data was analyzed descriptively and using the chi square test to understand factors which could be influenced self medication behavior. Most of the patients choose to do the self medication (63.6%) rather than directly went to the physician (36.4%). There were 3 predictors of self medication behavior in our study, which were occupation, income and type of disease with the RR were; 0.823 (95% CI:0.7010.965), 1.433 (95% CI:1.173-1.751) and 1.027 (95% CI: 1.059-1.376), respectively. The occupation, income and chronic disease could predict of self medication behavior in elderly patients. Keywords: self medication, elderly, predictor

Qualitative research on self-management in elderly patients with COPD during community-based rehabilitation

Objective To explore the current situation of knowledge,beliefs and behavior of elderly patients with COPD during their community-based rehabilitation.Methods Phenomenological research method of qualitative research was used,14 elderly patients with COPD during their community-based rehabilitation period received in-depth interviews.Results There were three themes and corresponding subthemes sublimated from the patients:self-management knowledge and skills,self-management beliefs and attitudes and self-management behavior.Conclusions It is necessary to pay close attention to spreading disease related health information,especially for patients with low health literacy.During the process of COPD self-management projects,we should focus on negative beliefs and negative attitudes on their selfmanagement behavior choice,which is as important as strengthening the patients' self-efficacy. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Community-based rehabilitation; Self-management; Qualitative study

アルツハイマー病と血管性認知症高齢者の食行動の比較に関する調査報告：第一報―食行動変化について―

In elderly patients with dementia, it is known that a loss of independence in eating can cause malnutrition, dehydration, a decrease in food consumption and the immune function and further worsening of the cognitive function, with an increased risk of pneumonia and a shortened life expectancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of a disturbed eating behavior in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), who together comprise the majority of elderly patients with dementia. A total of 233 patients (150 AD patients and 83 VaD patients) who were residents of institutions or group homes were enrolled. The patients underwent an assessment of eating behavior, a cognitive assessment, a neurological examination and measurement of the vital signs. Additionally, statistical analyses were performed to compare eating behavior between the patients with AD and those with VaD at varying severity of dementia. A disturbed eating behavior was observed significantly more frequently as the severity of dementia increased. The prevalence of difficulty in rinsing/gargling and dysphagia increased with the severity of dementia. There were differences in the frequency of disturbed eating behavior between the AD and VaD patients. Among the patients with mild dementia, the VaD patients exhibited a higher incidence of a disturbed eating behavior than the AD patients. On the other hand, some behaviors prominent in the patients with severe dementia were related to various types of cognitive impairment in the AD patients, namely difficulty in beginning a meal, difficulty in maintaining attention while eating and difficulty in performing the specific motor skills necessary to open food packages. Marked individual differences were observed in the mild VaD patients, with a high frequency of disturbed eating behavior and dysphagia related to symptoms of neurological deficits. No correlations were found with the severity of dementia. Both AD and VaD are types of dementia; however, the frequency of a disturbed eating behavior differs greatly between these populations. It is necessary to focus on differences in these parameters and also the causes of dementia in order to develop effective care techniques for patients with dementia.

P03-299 - Pharmaco- and psychoprevention of suicides in elderly patients with depressions

The aim of this study was to develop a system for diagnosis and prevention of suicides in elderly patients with depressions. 87 elderly patients with depressions (F 41.2) were examined. The clinico-psychopathological, pathopsychological and statistical methods were used.It was found out that elderly patients with depressions had suicidal attempts in 53.1%, suicidal thoughts in 19.4%, suicidal intentions in 27.6%. In the structure of suicidal attempts true suicidal attempts (44.9%) predominated over demonstrative ones (8.2%), and non-complete suicidal attempts (50.0%) prevailed over compete ones (3.1%).It was defined that in elderly patients with depressions and a suicidal behavior a manifested (29.1±4.6 points on Hamilton Scale) anxiety (agitated) (53.1%) and senesto-hypochondriacal (25.5%) depression prevailed. A suicidal behavior in these patients manifested on the background of introversion (78.6%), explosive (62.2%), psychasthenic (55.1%) personality peculiarities; a low neuropsychic stability (77.6%); a predomination of autoaggression (62.2%) and suspiciousness (43.9%) in the behavior.Predictors of a suicidal behavior in elderly patients with depressions were autoaggression (38.1±3.5 points), impulsiveness (35.2±5.6 points), a narrowing of cognitive functions (28.9±5.7 points), impairments of interpersonal contacts (22.2±4.6 points).The analysis of a clinico-psychopathological structure, mechanisms, regularities of formation and development of a suicidal behavior, its motivation, suicidal and antisuicidal factors in elderly patients with depressions allowed us to work out and implement a system for prevention of a suicidal behavior, which based on principles of systematic, differentiation of approaches, timing, complexity, and division on stages.