Elder abuse is the one of the most predominant crimes in Maine, and is getting worse every day.

Maine is one of the worst states for prosecution, mainly because of lack of education. Doctors, nurses, family members, elders and anyone who has contact with an elderly person should be educated about the signs and symptoms of elder abuse in order to prevent it from happening.

There are many abuses happening every day to the elderly – physical and mental – or negligence, and the most prominent one: financial abuse. Many times abusers may not even know they are “abusers.” They may feel entitled to money from a parent, grandparent or spouse, and not even realize they are, in legal terms, abusers.

There are many sites on the Internet that can help educate people and hopefully prevent this from happening. I recommend everyone, elders included, visit the state of Maine Web site and search for elder abuse. Or just put “elder abuse” in the search bar. Many people will be shocked. I know I was.

Forewarned is forearmed. Education will put a big dent in the horrible exploitation of our precious senior citizens.

Mary Jane Newell, Oxford