This article presents a literature review of modern studies on the identification of suicidal risk in the elderly. The purpose of review is to analyze and systematize existing studies on suicidal risk factors in the elderly, on the diagnosis of suicidal risk in the elderly and the prospects for their further study.

According to WHO, the elderly are people aged 60-74 years, the age of 75-90 years is considered senile. Age over 60 is one of the predictors of completed suicide risk for a number of reasons. The article analyzes studies aimed at identifying and studying the factors of suicidal behavior in the elderly, as well as methods for diagnosing suicidal risk in this age group. Diagnostic tools should take into account both the ease of use and the degree of preservation of cognitive activity in individuals of this age group.

For Kazakhstan, the problem of suicide in the elderly is particularly relevant, since both in terms of the overall death rate from suicide and in terms of indicators for the elderly; our republic is included in a high-risk group. Suicidal behavior in the elderly is a major public health problem in many countries. Although people over 65 make up one tenth of the population, they account for a quarter of all suicides.

The article analyzes the most used methods for assessing suicidal risk. When analyzing the available literature on the topic under study, the authors came to the conclusion that the most used are the Beck scales: the Suicidal Thought Scale (BSI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), the Beck Depression Scale (BDI), and also: the Suicide Assessment Scale (SUAS), scale of internal suicidal behavior according to A.G. Ambrumova. However, these methods are not aimed at identifying suicidal risk in the elderly, so there are practically no methods for assessing suicidal risk in the elderly and senile. After analyzing the available literature on this topic, the authors came to the conclusion that it is necessary to design such diagnostic tools for working with the elderly.