CAMH Problem Gambling Service Seniors Specialty

CAMH Problem Gambling Service

Seniors Specialty

Why focus on older adults as a special concern? Like other groups, most older people who gamble do so non-problematically. However, the increasing availability of gambling in its many forms has resulted in a rise in the number of seniors who gamble. Unfortunately, some of them will develop serious gambling and financial problems at a stage in life when it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to recoup financial losses.

As of September 2002, adults aged 65 and older made up approximately 13.5% of the Canadian population. It is expected that gambling-related problems will increase as the number of older adults almost doubles by the year 2026. And unlike many other populations, they have the time to gamble. A publication by the Canada Coordinating Committee for the International Year of Older Persons states that older adults have approximately 7.7 hours of free time per day, far more than the younger population.

Older adults are a significant market for the gaming industry. To capture their interest, gaming operations often offer attractive incentives such as special promotions, cheap transportation and free lunches. Many agencies serving older adults are eager to arrange bus trips to casinos, stating that they are their "most popular entertainment activity." It is an opportunity that offers numerous perceived benefits such as escape, entertainment, fun and a chance to win money.

It has been said that "Gambling has become the new pastime of the 21st century for our society," and given the changing demographics of our society, it is especially true for older adults.

o"The National Opinion Research Centre at the University of Chicago (NORC 1999) analyzed five data sets on gambling behaviour, attitudes and problems to examine changes in gambling patterns from 1975 to 1998. The results revealed substantial changes in gambling patterns since 1975. The proportion of seniors who have ever gambled increased from 35% in 1975 to 80% in 1998. Of all the age groups, the most dramatic increase was among adults 65 years and older."

There are many good reasons why older adults find gambling an attractive activity. The following can also be considered as risk factors:

Opportunity and availability:
No matter where they live, gambling is available in some form in almost every part of Ontario, making it accessible to the majority of older adults. The gaming industry (promotions and transportation discounts), community agencies (trips organized by older adult clubs and churches) and the Internet contribute to easy access and opportunity.

Boredom:
Older adults may gamble to avoid boredom due to having abundant leisure time while lacking other social activities or opportunities, in addition to having limited finances or physical restrictions.

Loneliness:
Gambling may offer temporary relief from the feelings of loneliness and isolation caused by the loss of loved ones or the separation from family and lifelong friends as a result of physical limitations or relocation after retirement.

Escape:
Some older adults find gambling a great temporary escape from reality including the death of a spouse or other family member, loss of professional identity or physical beauty, failing health and past trauma.

Pain relief:
It is not unusual to find that people in chronic pain report that they experience a significant reduction in their pain when they gamble. This may be the result of the highly focused nature of the activity, dissociation or changes to brain chemistry that occur when playing. Given that many older people are coping with chronic pain, this may be a highly motivating factor.

Excitement/social interaction/fun:
Gambling may offer some older adults a degree of excitement and fun that they don't experience otherwise, while others enjoy it as an opportunity to socialize with peers in a safe setting. A sense of safety is particularly important to older women.

Big pay-offs:
Some older adults may view gambling as a possible solution to a limited, ever-shrinking retirement income and the concern "Will I have enough money to last me?" One survey of the Canadian population revealed that 19% of Canadians believe that their retirement will be partially subsidized from the proceeds of gambling.

Other risk factors:
There may be more older adults than known who suffer age-related damage to the part of the brain that affects judgment and decision making. As a consequence, they are more prone to making risky and speculative decisions which leave them vulnerable to all sorts of problematic situations, including telephone and mail fraud. The damage often goes undetected because these individuals are otherwise healthy. This factor may also leave some older adults vulnerable to the development of a gambling problem.

Possible signs of problem gambling:

Loss of interest and participation in normal activities with friends and family; increased family conflict.
Placing a high priority on gambling and gambling-related activities.
Secrecy and avoidance when questioned about time and money spent, as well as having blocks of time unaccounted for. When asked by his or her partner about unpaid bills or unmet needs, the person avoids discussion or becomes very secretive about how they spend their time and their finances.
A sudden undisclosed need, especially an "emergency," requiring money or loans from friends or family.
Missing possessions or assets, which may indicate the person is pawning or selling personal possessions or liquidating financial assets to compensate for gambling losses or debts.
Changed attitudes, including attitudes about matters once considered important.
Neglect of personal needs, for instance, having no food in the refrigerator, missed medications, utilities that are turned off due to unpaid bills, missed appointments or medical check-ups.
Decline in health: Stress-related physical disorders are common among problem gamblers. A decline in health may include a worsening of existing conditions such as anxiety and mood disturbances. The increased stress of gambling problems and related fatigue can exacerbate physical ailments common to older adults such as arthritis, heart conditions, gastrointestinal problems and respiratory difficulties.
Depression and loss of self-esteem are likely to follow the loss of savings and financial security.

Answering "yes" to any one of these signs does not mean that the individual has a gambling problem but suggests that it likely requires further exploration.

Answering "yes" to more than one of these signs indicates greater cause for concern that the individual may be at risk of having or developing a gambling problem.

If older adults choose to participate in gambling, they can do so in a safe way. Here are some suggested guidelines to follow.

Keep it fun. Gambling for entertainment, not in the hope of making money.
Make gambling one of many activities in which you participate.
Decide on a spending limit ahead of time and stick to it. Consider any loss to be the cost of entertainment.
Avoid on-site cash machines for additional gambling money. Don't borrow money to gamble.
Gambling should not interfere with or be a substitute for family or other relationships and activities.
Educate and inform yourself about the risks of gambling. Age and life experience alone cannot protect you from the risks.
If you feel you have a gambling problem -- seek help.

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