Flu shots are now available but not all elderly obtain them. Pneumococcal vaccines are also available. Elderly who reside in sheltered living settings such as congregate housing or nursing homes may have better access to information about the pneumococcal vaccine. Elderly who live alone, are isolated and do not have regular access to a health provider may not be adequately protected either from influenza or pneumonia. People who smoke or have other illnesses have the greatest risk of dying as a result of pneumonia or flu.
Age adds risk.
Suicide deaths are an important measure of elderly isolation. Many people do not realize that elderly typically have the highest suicide rate of any age group. Some researchers have demonstrated that rural elderly farmers have the highest suicide rates. The death certificate data did not provide sufficient information to corroborate this in Kentucky. While poverty overall among Kentucky's elderly has decreased in the past 15 years, poverty rates among the elderly in several eastern rural counties increased.