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Cadence Hills is a student at Bucksport High School. As a way to raise awareness of the problem of elder abuse and to connect the younger generation with the older generation, the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention and General Federation of Women’s Clubs Maine have co-sponsored an elder abuse essay contest for graduating high school students in Maine since 2016. Students are invited to submit an essay using the prompt “What is elder abuse and what is your solution?” Hills is this year’s winner.

Elder abuse is a silent epidemic that is far more common than most people realize; in fact, experts estimate that only one out of every 24 cases is actually reported. As we age, our ability to care for ourselves naturally decreases, yet nobody wants to spend their final years in a facility where they are treated like a child. This loss of independence can be incredibly bewildering for elders who were once completely self-sufficient.

Because of this, many seniors eventually move in with their adult children or other family members. This transition often creates immense stress for a caregiver who is already trying to navigate the complexities of their own life. While these caregivers usually act out of love, it is incredibly frustrating to care for someone who once cared for you — especially if that relationship was strained by past experiences.

It is a difficult concept to wrap one’s head around, but most people truly try their best. Unfortunately, without the right support, these high-stress situations sometimes end poorly for both the elder and the caregiver.

Elder abuse takes many forms, and while physical and sexual abuse occur, they are not the most frequent types. Emotional abuse — including verbal threats, humiliation, and forced isolation — is far more common. Because it leaves no physical scars, it often goes unreported, even in professional nursing home settings.

Financial exploitation is another major issue, involving complex scams, identity theft, or a “trusted” person misusing a senior’s life savings; this is actually a leading reason why people eventually reach out to authorities for help.

Finally, neglect and self-neglect account for nearly 40% to 50% of all cases. Self-neglect, where an elder is unable to meet their own basic needs due to cognitive decline or physical frailty, is frequently ignored because it happens behind closed doors. We must learn to recognize these subtle patterns if we hope to intervene before a situation becomes a tragedy.

To prevent this cycle from continuing, we must implement a “safety ecosystem” that combines innovative technology, professional teamwork and better support for families.

First, we can utilize smart home technology. Instead of using invasive cameras that compromise a senior’s dignity, we can use sensors that monitor movement using safe radio waves. These sensors can detect a fall or confused wandering at night and instantly alert a caregiver before a life-threatening injury occurs. We can also implement systems to monitor bank accounts, providing an extra layer of security to protect a senior’s assets from exploitation.

Furthermore, when abuse is suspected, we should not require absolute proof to start an investigation; a reasonable suspicion should be enough to trigger help. Investigations should be handled by a multidisciplinary team, including a doctor, a lawyer, and a police officer, who can work together to solve the problem from every angle.  

Finally, we must support the caregivers themselves. Most abuse happens not out of malice, but because a family member is exhausted, burnt out, and reaching a breaking point. By providing “Respite Vouchers” — which allow a professional to step in for a few days so the family member can take a much-needed break — we can lower stress levels in the home and keep everyone safe.

Ultimately, the way we treat our elders is a direct reflection of our community’s values. By combining advanced technology and protecting financial assets through monitoring, we create a world where seniors can age with independence rather than fear. We must acknowledge that caregiving is one of the hardest jobs a person can take on. This “safety ecosystem” ensures that no one is left to struggle in silence.

When we invest in these interventions, we aren’t just solving a problem for today’s seniors, we are building the very system that will one day be there to protect us. We owe it to the generation that raised us to ensure their final chapters are written with security, respect, and peace.