Senior Gambling

Most people who gamble do so recreationally, not to “make money”, but problem gambling hurts thousands of Americans and their loved ones every year. “Problem” gambling is where the behavior disrupts any one of or all the major facets of one’s life including physical, psychological, work life and social life.   Issues that can add to the problem for the elderly include:

1. Not having saved enough money to continue a lifestyle level in retirement.

2. To relieve boredom and loneliness and to create “excitement”.   Gambling establishments may even provide transportation and free meals for the elderly.

3. The elder may not recognize that gambling can be addiction, much like smoking or substance abuse, and therefore miss that there is a problem.

4. Further, a physical brain condition as dementia begins and progresses where there is a “lack of awareness”, which can make dangers unrecognizable.  Research on Frontotemporal dementia has shown presentations in senior gambling.

The consequences for the elderly can be catastrophic – they lose their life savings, and may not be able to take a job that can repay gambling related debts and build what savings they did have back to where they were.   Oddly enough, seniors are the fastest growing segment of gamblers. If you haven’t been to the casino recently, there are fewer James Bonds and more people on scooters than you might remember.  Lotteries and on-line gaming and horse-betting are other avenues used.

Worse, the problem becomes intergenerational. That is, children have to end up supporting their parents earlier, and find that the helpful inheritance they were hoping for to repay it was gambled away.

Gam-anon, which helps compulsive gamblers and their families has a 20 question guide – if the answer is yes to 6 or more of the questions, there might be a problem:

1. Do you find yourself constantly bothered by bill collectors?

2. Is the person in question often away from home for long, unexplained periods of time?

3. Does this person ever lose time from work due to gambling?

4. Do you feel that this person cannot be trusted with money?

5. Does the person in question faithfully promise that he or she will stop gambling; beg and plead for another chance, yet gamble again and again?

6. Does this person ever gamble longer than he or she intended to, until the last dollar is gone?

7. Does this person immediately return to gambling to try to recover losses, or to win more?

8. Does this person ever gamble to get money to solve financial difficulties, or have unrealistic expectations that gambling will bring the family material comfort and wealth?

9. Does this person borrow money to gamble with or to pay gambling debts?

10. Has this person’s reputation ever suffered due to gambling, even to the extent of committing illegal acts to finance gambling?

11. Have you come to the point of hiding money needed for living expenses, knowing that you and the rest of the family may go without food and clothing if you do not?

12. Do you search this person’s clothing or go through his or her wallet when the opportunity presents itself, or otherwise check on his or her activities?

13. Does the person in question hide his or her money?

14. Have you noticed a personality change in the gambler as his or her gambling progresses?

15. Does the person in question consistently lie to cover up or deny his or her gambling activities?

16. Does this person use guilt induction as a method of shifting responsibilities for his or her gambling upon you?

17. Do you attempt to anticipate this person’s moods, or try to control his or her life?

18. Does this person ever suffer from remorse or depression due to gambling, sometimes to the point of self-destruction?

19. Has the gambling ever brought you to the point of threatening to break up the family unit?

20. Do you feel your life together is a nightmare?

Source: Gam-Anon ISO P.O. Box 570157 Whitestone NY 11357-0157, Phone: (718) 352-1671, Fax: (718) 746-2571,

Internet: www.gam-anon.org

Gam-anon is a great source of help, and the local Area Agency on Aging may also provide invaluable assistance.

Copyright 2016, AGIS Network, Inc.