Does anyone besides me have a problem with AL facilities taking residents to casinos as an 'outing'?

I agree with you Segoline.  I also agree with Sanibel01.  Gambling can easily become addictive behavior and shouldn't be encouraged - especially with the elderly who's reasoning/thinking may be compromised.

I too have a problem with casinos. I happen to think they are vile.

And I also agree that taking people who can no longer even calculate how far the odds are stacked against them seems like inviting them to have fun throwing their money away.

But. If you have in your facility certain residents who have always *enjoyed* visiting casinos and having a little flutter and who get an enormous amount of social fun out of it, I would think it wrong to stop them doing it. I would expect the trip organisers to put rules in place to limit the losses; and I would also expect them to work with the casino management on this. That way, the worst that can happen is they've spent a few dollars each on a nice day out - does it matter where the money went?

Just let the AL director know that you do not want your LO to go on those outings to casinos. Without your permission they cannot bring him/her.

My father picked his AL based on the number of casino outing they have. He no longer goes as he is not physically up to it.

Once in a while I will take my wife to a casino because she enjoys the animation on the screen. It seems to relax her. She gets bored and quits in a much shorter time than she did before.
If they are supervised or still at the mental state to enjoy it, why not?

Casinos can offer a lot more than gambling. I really don't like gambling with lots of money, or even for long periods of time. Never have. But, on occasion, I love the lights and noises, the food, the people watching, and then maybe a show or two (although shows pretty much only take place at night, after folks living in facilities have gone home).

After a certain age, and with certain conditions, there are little-to-no opportunities for vibrant grownup outings. If a senior in placement is unable to participate, then the facility likely won't allow them to go. If it's a facility field trip, they won't be there long enough to go broke or drunk.

I do wish there were more non-casino options out there. But I'd be loath to deny the willing and able an occasional casino outing.

Many Seniors love casinos! Not only to gamble but to see the shows and eat out at the different restaurants. Or just people watch.

Many folks in AL don’t all have dementia and are in full control of their minds and finances. If it’s their choice to go I say why not?

An AL isn’t a nursing home. It’s a bunch of seniors that are still able to have a good time. I don’t think the AL staff need to monitor them much unless they are forgetful.

I’m sure they’re not inviting the AL residents into the VIP game area where bets are the sky’s the limit. The seniors usually get a roll of quarters or something to play the slots. Then go to the buffet for lunch or dinner.

Its a day out, and should be fun. To say seniors shouldn’t be allowed to gamble is not right.

@Moutainmoose

You said

I don't have a problem with it. I'm sure they have an aide who accompanies them and keeps on eye on them.

An aide? Lol


I can't even with that one.

Older people like the casino, just ask my nephew who used to work at one. People in AL are supposed to be able to use their own judgment and IMO it is up to the family/or POA to keep on top of that, not the facility. It's no different than the people who are blowing their bucks on smokes and booze (and there are plenty of drunks in AL) or shopping or running next door to the local coffee shop umpteen times a day.

I don't have a problem with it. I'm sure they have an aide who accompanies them and keeps on eye on them.

I’m guessing that one reason why this type of outing is done is because the casino underwrites some if not all of the costs. So the AL doesn’t have it come out of their limited activities budget.

So the casino has a bus nice & new (with potties) with a driver that the casino provides at minimal or no cost. And the casino maybe gives each passenger a free buffet ticket, a couple of other comps....like drink tickets, or tote bags, or koozies or some other swag. You do NOT have to gamble. You do NOT have to hit the slots. If you want to sit in the lobby, or at a bar, or see a show instead you can.

If your really creative, you get your kids or old friends to meet you at the casino and get to visit and dine or just hang for the day, partially on someone else’s dime. Where I am, in New Orleans, we’re basically surrounded by casinos; all very different personalities or vibes whether in Louisiana or on the MS coast. One has a golf course, so in theory you could play a round instead of being on the gaming floor. Another has a horse race track so you could do that or go down to the OTB and watch the ponies at other tracks instead of sitting in front of a slot machine. The one in Gulfport has folks taking cabs over to the outlet mall. Two of the MS coast ones are true resorts with full spa, multiple dining, entertainment and shopping options. The one downtown NOLA has a very upscale mall with Saks on the Fr Qtr side and a Neimans Last Call in the more outlet mall on the Central business district side. You can just cross the street and shop and ignore the gaming floor totally. Or go across other street to the Aquarium & Woldenberg park on the River. But you take the bus to casino and then back to the AL or IL. Casino prefers you sit at the slots & loose $ but you don’t have to.

If their in iL or AL, in theory, they should be ok on their ADLs so can go & do. They aren’t chained to the slots; they end up there as it’s the easiest things to default to.

What is interesting on casinos is that they are very very much ADA handicapped friendly. From ramps that they do at the entrances that connect to the bus doors to the casino walkway; to grab bars throughout the entire property; to tables designed for wheelchair arms to slip underneath at the restaurants. As an outing, I see it as a “win” for all involved. Pun intended!

All gaming states are required to have 1-800 gambling help call in programs too.

Casinos welcome with open arms AL Residents. I know this for a fact.

I Am not a gambler either. I have been to Vegas once many years ago. I thought it tacky and tawdry. I have been to one of the 5 casinos here. I thought the same.

I would have gone to Woodstock though. Too young.

I'm probably the wrong person to ask, since I'm not a gambler, per se. The few times I've gone, I've bought one roll of tokens for the slot machine. When the roll was gone, my playtime was over.

I agree with you. This sort of outing sounds like "too much fun" for those with compromised judgement. Not all seniors in AL are compromised for sure, but it's too difficult to separate the sheep from the goats on this issue; i.e. who gets to go and who stays home. Seems like there ought to be more appropriate outings for seniors.