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Besides having accumulated wealth, the elderly also possess psychological characteristics that make them vulnerable to investment, leisure, and healthcare scams. (Screenshot) |
Stories of elderly people using their pension books as collateral for loans or continuing to borrow money to "recover" losses from timeshare contracts have recently caused a stir in public opinion. Behind these lost funds are not only economic losses but also long-lasting psychological trauma, even pushing many elderly people into states of anxiety and depression.
According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai, Head of the Department of Mental Health for the Elderly at the Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, the elderly are currently one of the groups most vulnerable to financial fraud.
The scam targets the wallets of retirees.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai stated that elderly people with good economic conditions or large savings are often targets for scammers.
Recently, the Institute of Mental Health has received numerous cases requiring psychological treatment due to severe trauma after being scammed. The scams are becoming increasingly diverse, ranging from promotional sales and dietary supplements to financial investment schemes, vacation contracts, and timeshare ownership.
Explaining why the elderly are easily tricked, this expert suggests that this is the stage where they desire to rest and enjoy life after many years of work, while also needing to maintain connections with family, friends, and the community.
In addition, many people still want to assert their role in the family, not only economically but also in making important decisions.
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Elderly people who are financially well-off or possess substantial savings are often targets for scammers. Photo: Unsplash. |
"The desire to prove they are still mentally sharp and capable of making their own decisions leads many elderly people to avoid depending on or consulting their children and grandchildren. Some even believe that their life experience is greater and therefore they don't need to listen to advice from the younger generation," Dr. Mai analyzed.
The technological gap is also a significant factor. In the context of increasingly sophisticated scams in the digital environment, many elderly people have difficulty accessing information or identifying warning signs. However, many are hesitant to ask their children or grandchildren for fear of being judged as outdated or uninformed.
The need for healthcare is also a vulnerability often exploited by scammers. Advertisements for dietary supplements, health-enhancing products, or wellness and rehabilitation programs often target the desire of the elderly to live healthy, happy lives and extend their lifespan.
"If presented with the idea that a product or service can improve health, change the living environment, provide a relaxing getaway in a place with fresh air, or support disease treatment, many people are willing to spend a large sum of money in the hope of a better life," Ms. Mai said.
Additionally, in some individuals, the ability to plan, manage finances, and make decisions may decline with age. This makes them more susceptible to tempting offers or to making ill-considered decisions.
In reality, the Institute of Mental Health has observed many patients admitted with prolonged stress and anxiety after being scammed. In some cases, individuals participating in promotional sales programs, despite being reminded by their children or grandchildren not to bring cash, still borrowed money from those around them to buy products because they were too trusting of the attractive advertisements.
The more you try to recoup your losses, the more money you lose.
More serious are cases involving investment or vacation ownership schemes. According to Dr. Phuong Mai, the common psychology of victims is the desire to recover their lost money. Scammers often exploit this very psychology to further entice them to invest more money with promises of a refund or recovery of their previous investment.
"The more they try to recover, the deeper they get caught up and the more money they continue to lose. Many hide it from their families, so the losses only increase. When they find out what happened, they experience severe stress, loss of confidence, and self-blame. In some cases, they show signs of depression," the expert said.
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Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai, Head of the Department of Mental Health for the Elderly, Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital. Photo: Provided by the hospital. |
According to Ms. Mai, besides the risk of financial fraud, loneliness among the elderly is also a worrying issue.
Loneliness can manifest as going out less often, limiting social interactions, giving up previous hobbies, not wanting to participate in family activities, or frequently sitting alone. Many people also exhibit prolonged sadness, easily feel sorry for themselves, feel abandoned, or believe they are no longer important to their loved ones.
Dr. Mai advises families to pay more attention to the mental well-being of the elderly instead of focusing solely on their physical health.
Instead of criticizing or imposing their will when they make mistakes, family members should take the time to listen, share, and support them. Simple things like calling daily, eating meals together, going for walks, taking them to doctor's appointments, or participating in shared activities can help older adults feel cared for and more connected.
For older adults, experts encourage maintaining healthy activities such as reading newspapers, listening to music, gardening, light exercise, and participating in clubs or community groups to enhance social connections.
In particular, when feelings of loneliness persist and begin to affect daily life, older adults should seek professional mental health care.
"If a patient frequently talks about death, feels like a burden to their family, or shows suicidal intentions, family members should quickly take them to a specialized facility for timely assessment and monitoring," the expert emphasized.
Source: https://znews.vn/phia-sau-bi-kich-so-huu-ky-nghi-post1660120.html
