The suffering is often in silence. Re-read that. The suffering is often in silence.

You can’t tell me your heart didn’t just drop into the depths of your stomach. There isn’t one person who can say they can’t relate.

Imagine growing old and having no choice but to rely on someone. Then that someone you let into your life abuses you.

By definition, elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. There are seven different kinds of abuse: physical, sexual, neglect, exploitation, emotional, abandonment and self-neglect.

Physical abuse is when you inflict pain or injury on a senior.

Sexual abuse is nonconsensual contact of any kind.

Neglect is when a caregiver is not providing food, shelter, health care or protection to a vulnerable adult.

Exploitation is illegally taking and misusing money, property or assets.

Emotional abuse is inflicting mental pain or distress.

Abandonment is when a caregiver deserts an elder.

Then there is self-neglect, which is characterized as the failure of a person to perform essential tasks that results in a threat to their family or his or her own health.

Elder abuse is constantly happening. In fact, 1 in every 10 Americans age 60 or older have experienced some form of elder abuse. Adults who take advantage of elderly are the worst kind of people. Elder abuse needs to be talked about openly.

There are many signs to elder abuse that people need to look out for.

Bruises, broken bones or burns may be indications of abuse, neglect or mistreatment.

The elderly may also withdrawal from normal activities or exhibit signs of depression when being emotionally abused.

It’s important to keep track of bank accounts, because sudden changes may be due to exploitation.

Bed sores, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are very good indicators of neglect.

Tension between the elder and caregiver, as well as arguing are also signs to look out for.

The elderly have been through a lot, and they deserve to live out their lives in peace. Know the signs, talk about possible cases, and just get the word out about elder abuse. If you suspect elder abuse, let others know.

As the younger generation, it’s our turn to take care of the people that had to deal with us. They have been through more than we could imagine. It’s not right to take advantage of them.

Don’t let them suffer in silence. In fact, don’t even let them suffer.

We must look out for each other, because we are all that we have.

Morgan Beland, a student at Winthrop High School, was the winning Kennebec County essayist for a statewide scholarship contest sponsored by the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention (www.elderabuseprevention.info) and the GFWC Maine Federation of Women’s Clubs (www.gfwcmaine.org). The contest was held in recognition of World Elder Abuse Day, June 15, and focused on raising awareness of elder abuse in Maine. It is estimated that 1 out of every 9 Maine seniors become victims of elder abuse each year. Essayists were asked, “What is elder abuse and what does it mean to you?” To learn more, go to www.elderabuseprevention.info.

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