Gambling can become a problem for adults over the age of 65 as easily as any other age group. Older adults are often drawn to the convenience of gambling close to home, being able to begin gambling with low amounts of money and having a safe and pleasant place to go and enjoy some time with friends or alone.
- 2% of older adults in Maryland are problem gamblers.
- If you smoke, drink alcohol and/or use drugs, you are at a greater risk of a gambling problem.
- A Gambling problem affects 7-10 people (including family, friends and co-workers)
Warning Signs
Adult children worried about older adult gambling problems should be aware of the warning signs:
- Withdrawing from family and friends and isolating
- Making excuses for not attending regular family functions, e.g. Sunday dinner, birthdays, graduations, etc.
- Unable to pay regular monthly bills, borrowing money.
- Cashing in stocks, bonds and selling or pawning family valuables, antiques or collections.
- Unexplained loss of weight, little if any food in pantry or refrigerator.
- Prescriptions not being refilled on time, sharing of prescriptions or skipping doses.
