Gambling can be a big problem for seniors

LETTER: Gambling can be a big problem for seniors

"It's something to do."

That's the response you often get when asking a senior citizen about gambling. With more free time on their hands, gambling has become a more popular activity for older adults. Many retirees see gambling as a way to pass time while other say it helps them, at least momentarily, to forget the grief, losses and other challenges that come as part of the aging process.

At the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling, we've also found that seniors are less likely and less willing to seek help if the level of gambling progresses to become a problem. There's a tendency for them to hide possible gambling issues because of embarrassment, so they are reluctant to reach out for help. And for seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes, the financial impact of a gambling problem can be quick and devastating.

So what are the signs that you should be looking for if you suspect that mom, dad, grandma or grandpa might have a gambling problem? The signs most often associated with problem gambling include:

• Loss of interest and participation in usual activities with friends and family

• Unaccounted blocks of time

• Secrecy

• Changes in attitude or personality

• Cashing in stocks or other investments or pawning family valuables, antiques or collections

• Neglect of personal needs (food, utilities, medical)

• Depression

For any senior heading down the path toward a gambling problem, or problem gamblers of any age, help is available. Contact the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling at 800-426-2535. The helpline is answered 24 hours a day and provides a valuable link to resources for those dealing with problem or compulsive gambling.

Seeking help early is important for anyone facing an addiction, whether it's gambling, alcohol or drugs. For seniors, early intervention can be lifesaving when retirement savings are threatened by a gambling problem.

Rose Gruber is executive director of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling.

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