The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Loneliness crisis leaves elderly open to scams
Some pensioners are so desperate to talk to someone they are ideal prey
A “crisis of loneliness” is leading to the financial abuse of the elderly, according to a Fife-based charity.
Action on Elder Abuse Scotland believes some vulnerable pensioners are being targeted because they simply have no one else to talk to.
There have even been cases where elderly people have refused to condemn people who have stolen cash from them because they still want to believe they have found a friend.
In an attempt to tackle the growing problem it is now to launch a pilot peersupport project in Fife.
Charity director Lesley Carcary said: “An older person may have no one else to speak to so will quite easily engage with someone who may in fact be trying to exploit them.
“So loneliness is a big issue in terms of reasons why older people may be targets.
“They build relationships with people who might be trying to scam or exploit them. We are fighting what appears to be a crisis of loneliness.”
The charity has secured funds from the Robertson Trust for the pilot, which it hopes to launch later this year.
It will provide a trained volunteer for pensioners who have been victims of abuse to help rebuild their confidence and independence.
Ms Carcary said: “The intention is that they recover from the experience and move on.”
This could involve encouraging them to go to the cinema or sign up to a group.
“Basically, we want to give them confidence they can do things on their own,” Mrs Carcary continued.
“If that person becomes physically and mentally strong through the support we have given them then they are less likely to experience abuse again.”
The charity receives around 25,000 calls a year across the UK, but believes that figure is “just the tip of the iceberg” as many victims don’t want to report it.
“We still hear of cases where someone may have thousands of pounds stolen from them but still don’t blame the person who did it because they think that person is their friend.
“There’s also the embarrassment involved if it’s a family member who is stealing from or abusing them – it may be their grandchild and they don’t want to report them,” she said.
During a meeting with the director, local MP Douglas Chapman said his eyes had been opened to the abuse which can happen to older people, “whether it was physical, psychological or financial.”
For confidential advice or support on the issue call the Elder Abuse Helpline on freephone 080 8808 8141.
An older person may have no one else to speak to so will quite easily engage with someone who may, in fact, be trying to exploit them