Loneliness Continued
If you are aware that a scam victim is lonely, it may be appropriate to assess if this has had an impact on their health such as early signs of dementia.
Loneliness is linked with deterioration in health and also puts individuals at greater risk of cognitive decline which is a key factor that contributes to becoming a victim of a scam. Feeling lonely rather than being alone is associated with an increased risk of clinical dementia in later life. Dementia can make people more vulnerable to scams.
When helping a victim, it is essential to assess if loneliness is a factor in why they respond to scams. Many charities have befriending schemes that it may be suitable to register a victim with to provide them with a source of contact that is not the scam. Alternatively making the victim aware of local community groups that they could join may be a way of addressing their loneliness. Encourage the victim to develop their own strong social networks that will be able to offer them advice and support around any future scam communications they may receive.