Some people steal for the thrill of it. Some do it because they simply don’t want to pay. And then there are those who steal because they have no choice or don’t have the mental faculties to stop themselves.

It was written in the sheriff’s log last week that an 86-year-old man was arrested for stealing a bar of soap and a can of minced clams from Island Market.

It is unknown what his motives were, but when someone well into his 80s is shoplifting basic items, it is most likely one of two things: he can’t afford to buy the goods or he has dementia.

According to Undersheriff Jon Zerby, it was most likely the latter. He says the sheriff’s department deals with older residents who get into trouble with the law simply because they are unaware of their actions.

“I find that’s the case with most of the older people we have contact with. Several years ago there was an old man who kept running into people with his pickup truck. There were no serious injuries, but we had to cite him. He didn’t come to court, so we went to his house to arrest him, which was a really good thing. All he had to eat in the house were corn flakes. We contacted Adult Protection Services and they found him a great place to live in an assisted living facility.”

The sad fact is that senior citizens are one of the more struggling segments of our population. They often don’t ask for help or even know that something is amiss with their living situations. Most of the elderly are on fixed incomes, limited by Medicare and social security checks. Seniors can wind up without proper care or nutrition because they either don’t know how to seek help or they can’t afford the cost.

Community resources like the senior centers provide meals, transportation, and social activities for our island seniors. But according to Zerby, some of the elderly keep to themselves.

“Some people don’t want any part of senior services. They are not able to take care of themselves but they are adamant about being alone.”

This is when Adult Protection Services comes in. The program is part of the Washington State Department of Social Health Services and it serves residents of San Juan County. The local headquarters are in Mt. Vernon. Area supervisor Scott Slater estimates they receive around two cases per month from San Juan County.

Adult Protection Services conducts investigations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. Staff members help the elderly arrange for in-home care or get into an assisted living facility. If anyone knows of a senior in need, call them at 1-800-487-0416.

We devote a lot of time and energy to so many causes: children, animals, drug prevention, and domestic violence, just to name a few. It’s easy to sometimes overlook the older people in our communities. When they keep to themselves, it’s hard to identify someone in need.

But the recent theft at Island Market should be a reminder that our seniors may be hurting. And it’s our job not to ignore them. Check in on your elderly neighbor. If you see someone who looks unkempt and out of sorts, talk to them. And if something doesn’t feel right, call the sheriff or Adult Protective Services.