FARMINGTON — Resources to help prevent and deal with elder abuse were highlighted at a forum Tuesday at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Several organizations and businesses showcased some local resources during the Polishing Your Golden Years: A Senior Resource Fair.

Hosted by the Franklin County Domestic Violence Task Force, the fair provided local speakers who deal with legal and financial exploitation of seniors.

Farmington police Detective Marc Bowering warned seniors about keeping their medications locked up and not mentioning what they take.

“Maine leads the nation in prescription drug abuse,” he said. “As a detective, I see a lot. The leading cause of about 75 percent of the worst crimes are prescription drug abuse.”

It could be a family member taking a few pills from your bottle or your house being broken into, he said.

Representing the University Credit Union, Beth Beaudoin, Farmington manager, related the roles of banks and credit unions in helping prevent frauds and scams. 

“We’re trained to look out for certain things,” she said. “We’re here to protect people’s assets.”

A list of “red flags” they watch for includes a caregiver’s excessive interest in a members’ finances or accounts, submissiveness toward a caregiver, an inability to speak with the member and closure of CDs without a reason, she said.

Maine provides the means for financial facilities to contact agencies such as Adult Protective Services or law enforcement with their concerns, she said.

Other speakers included Deputy District Attorney Andrew Robinson, who spoke on prosecuting crimes targeting the elderly, and Jill Randall of Legal Services for the Elderly who talked about financial exploitation and tips to prevent it. 

Resource tables lined the room offering information for seniors.

A home-visit program designed to help seniors prevent falls, assess their safety, help with securing affordable, nutritious foods and other resources necessary to help them continue to age in their homes is available through the Healthy Community Coalition, registered nurse Cheryl Moody said as she and Brady Croteau from the coalition talked with seniors. 

The Senior Planning Center in Farmington provides financial assistance for seniors and is filling a void in Franklin County, Anthony Arruda said.

Kathy Gregory, dental care supervisor for Community Dental, voiced concerns about periodontal or gum disease in seniors. It’s the No. 1 reason for seniors losing their teeth, but it also has an affect on diabetes, heart disease and cancer, she said.

SeniorsPlus offers a Savvy Caregiver course, helping those who provide care for family members with dementia. They also offer Money Minders, a program that helps those ages 55 and older pay bills or balance a checkbook.

Opportunities abound for seniors to learn and socialize through Gold Leaf Institute courses, President Mary Viruley said as she and Myrna Vallette manned a table for the local senior college.

The summer term begins with a kickoff event at 3 p.m. June 25 in the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Sparkes Hearing Services, Western Maine Transportation Services and others also manned tables.

abryant@sunjournal.com