Attorney General Steven Rowe estimates that domestic violence (violence within families) costs Maine $1.2 billion a year. On May 3, I attended the Elder Abuse Conference in Augusta, sponsored by the Maine Office of the Attorney General. Elder abuse is one component of domestic violence. The statistics on elder abuse presented at the conference are appalling and the videotaped interviews with elder abuse victims shown were heart-wrenching.

The American Academy of Physicians has stated, “We are losing our elders to an epidemic rarely talked about or even acknowledged. An epidemic that leaves some ashamed, some afraid and too many dead.”

An estimated 12,000 seniors are abused each year in Maine. The abuse may take the form of physical battering, sexual assault, verbal battering and threats, ridiculing values or spiritual beliefs, psychological torture, isolation, neglect, harming pets or prized livestock, and financial exploitation (collectively more than $2.2 million since July 2001 for an average of $39,000 per victim).

Research has shown that about 84 percent of elder abuse cases are never reported. Some elders can’t tell their story, some are afraid. Many fear being taken out of their homes. Others fear losing control and hope, and some are embarrassed that they fell for a con. Still others feel a sense of failure and shame that the children they raised are abusers. The perpetrators of elder abuse are 47 percent adult children, 17 percent spouses, 19 percent grandchildren and 16 percent others.

Elder victims of violence have twice as many physician visits and 2.5 times the outpatient cost. Two-thirds to three-quarters of elder abuse victims are women. Older adults who are abused or mistreated are three times more likely to die within the next decade than the same age adults who are not mistreated.

Recent studies have debunked two common myths associated with elder abuse. The first myth: Caregiver stress is a cause of abuse. After an initial study done years ago that came to that conclusion, no studies done since have supported that finding. However, caregivers do suffer stress and need support groups.

The second myth: Disrespect of seniors and elder abuse are an American cultural phenomenon. Recent studies in Japan, Greece, China and Finland have debunked this as well. The problem is culturally ubiquitous.

Common indicators of elder abuse are:

. a senior acting nervous around others, even a relative or caretaker;

. frequent, unexplained bruises;

. a person who has become increasingly withdrawn or isolated;

. visitors discouraged or not allowed;

. a person who goes without even when they shouldn’t have to;

. writing many checks to cash and-or maxed-out credit cards.

If you are a victim of elder abuse, or suspect you might be, or if you know or suspect that a senior is being abused, contact the Maine Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services 24-hour hotline (toll- free) at 1-800-624-8404. Assistance is also available from family doctors, clergy, and local law enforcement agencies.

To reduce elder violence, we need to create “gray squad” units within our local law enforcement agencies. These units, which have officers specially trained in dealing with crimes against seniors, have proven exceptionally effective in increasing the number of seniors willing to report abuse and in the level of satisfaction seniors feel about their interaction with the law enforcement officers.

Financial institutions need to increase their level of participation in the Elder Reporting Project. Thirty-five percent of financial exploitation crimes are against seniors, yet last year in Maine financial institutions referred only twelve cases to law enforcement officials. An investigator at the conference stated that he should have received twelve referrals from Portland alone.

Everyone can help by contacting their federal representatives and encouraging them to support the Elder Justice Act (S. 333 and HR 2490). This legislation will provide money to the states to help them combat crimes against seniors. Also, be proactive in looking for elder abuse. Ask the seniors in your life (in a private setting) if anyone is taking advantage of or abusing them.

Maine is the third oldest state in the nation (185,000 or 14 percent) and our projected demographics predict an even higher percentage of seniors in the future. Ten percent of our seniors live below the poverty rate. Many others are impoverished by their medical costs and property taxes. The suicide rate is higher for the elderly than any other group. Over the age of 60, one in four commits suicide (most often men with a hand gun). A recent nationwide study gave Maine a D in addressing elderly suicide. We need a program to reach out to our seniors with depression screening.

Our seniors are often out of sight and therefore out of mind. We need to change this. Seniors are the foundation upon which our lives have been built. At a minimum, we owe them respect, dignity and freedom from abuse in what are supposed to be their golden years.

Most of us know a neighbor, friend or family member who has been the victim of elder abuse. Real progress reducing elder abuse will not be made until there is a collaborative response within communities.

One presenter at the conference stated, “When one of us is abused, we are all abused. When one of us is hurting, we are all hurting. That is the way a community works.” Another stated, “Elder abuse is a violation of the victims’ souls, our souls and the soul of the community.” I agree with both.

Peter P. Misluk Jr. is a Democratic State Senate candidate in Waldo County, District 23. He lives in Searsmont.