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 Centre for Addictionand Mental Health |
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Gambling ProblemsResponding to Older Adults with Substance Use, Mental Health and Gambling Challenges On this page:
Older adults have many opportunities to gamble, and often have more free time for gambling than younger people. Casinos offer buses to bring older adults from seniors' centres and retirement homes; charities offer bingo nights and raffles as older adults' social events. Older adults may see gambling as:
Many older adults gamble, but most limit their spending to small amounts at the casino, racetrack or bingo hall, or on lottery tickets or card games. However, some do develop gambling problems, and may even lose their savings or home. Older adults are usually retired and have limited finances; if they lose, it's hard for them to earn back their losses. Losing money isn't the only risk of gambling. It can also damage a person's physical health. Some older adults spend hours sitting at slot machines, instead of healthier activities. Some people may not think that playing the slots or buying lottery tickets is gambling. They may think that gambling is a problem only when a person steals to gamble. And even when they have spent their savings on gambling, they may still not see the problem, thinking they will eventually hit the jackpot. Gambling by others-for example, the person's spouse or children who may have borrowed and lost money-may also result in problems. How common are gambling problems in older adults? Problems with gambling are thought to be less common among older adults than in younger people. Current studies show that 2.1 per cent of people aged 60 or older have gambling problems (compared to 4.8 per cent of all adults in Ontario; CAMH, 2005). However, because older adults tend to have less contact with friends and family than younger adults, gambling-related problems may be less likely to be noticed in older adults. When gambling disrupts, damages or limits an older person's life, it is a problem. Signs of problem gambling include:
How to talk with an older adult who has a gambling problem Older adults may try to hide or deny a gambling problem. They may feel hopeless or ashamed about the situation, or they may be unaware that help is available. If you think an older adult may have a gambling problem, asking a few questions may help to identify the problem. Encourage the person to talk about his or her gambling, without asking whether he or she has a gambling problem. Don't confront or judge. For example, start by asking:
If the person says that he or she does gamble regularly, and is willing to talk about it, ask:
The way older adults answer these last questions may suggest that they spend more than they feel they should, or that they wish they could stop but need to win first. You can then mention that you've heard that gambling can cause problems for many people, and that some counsellors specialize in helping people with gambling-related problems. If the older adult shows interest in learning more, tell your supervisor, who will try to connect the older adult with a qualified gambling counsellor.
In Responding to Older Adults : 2 Substance Use, Mental Health and Gambling Challenges in Older Adults
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Last updated: Dec 15, 2006 11:29 AM Published: Aug 19, 2008 8:00 PM ID#P18584 |