Andrew J. Weaver

Koenig and Weaver address the realities of aging very forthrightly. I especially appreciated their discussion of depression and how to evaluate their risk for suicide. They maintain that discussing suicide with a client has no relation to the likelihood of them suiciding.

Five questions to explore with the client:
1. Have they wondered whether life is worth living, or wondered if it would be better to simply die.
2. If the response is yes, have they ever thought about hastening death?
3. If yes, ask if they have thought about this recently.
4. If yes, have they thought about how they might do it.
5. If they have a plan, inquire about their timetable.

Don't try to discourage them. They need to be listened to. Try to get information. Positive answers to questions 3 through 5 require you to take action, including, if necessary, calling 911.… (more)