AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2000
Qld: Elderly couple take lives together rather than die alone
Lifeline has urged older couples fearing separation to contact a counsellor after an
elderly Queensland husband and wife committed suicide.
Sunshine Coast couple MERV and RUTH ALDRED ended their 64 years together between Monday
night and yesterday morning, fearing old age would part them.
The couple's son found the bodies of his father, 94, and his mother, 84, in their car,
parked in the garage of their Buderim home yesterday.
Police say a note had been found and there were no suspicious circumstances.
It's understood Mrs ALDRED had had a stroke last year and had some short-term memory
loss but neither had a terminal illness.
It's also believed the couple feared hospitals and living without each other.
Brisbane-based Lifeline counselling coordinator, KATHI HILDEBRAND says elderly people
troubled about declining health and possible loss of a partner may push themselves over
the edge.
She says they need to be informed of counselling services available.
AAP RTV dn/jhm/jtb/jn
KEYWORD: COUPLE LIFELINE (BRISBANE)
2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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