• Plan for your future, now.  When it comes to making decisions about your life, you are in control. If you plan for your future now, you will get to choose who will help you manage your money or provide your care when you can no longer do it alone.  You need the right person for this job.  It needs to be someone you trust with your money and your well-being. Talk to an attorney before you sign a Power of Attorney. If you are unhappy with your Power of Attorney, you can make a change at any time.

  Check out “Planning for the Future” for information on how to select and appoint someone to help you.

• Protect your home. Do not give your home to someone, even in exchange for a promise to care for you or to be allowed to stay there as long as you live. These kinds of promises are broken every day and the stakes are high for you.  If things don’t work out, you could find yourself without a home or the help you need.  Don’t be persuaded by family members who say that you need to give your home away to protect it from the state.

  If you need help to stay in your home, contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771 to find out more about services in your area.

  If someone is telling you that you have to give away your home to protect it from the state, call Legal Services for Maine Elders at 1-877-353-3771 for free and confidential legal help.  You can also read “Common Questions about MaineCare” in the MaineCare and Long Term Care chapter for more information.

• Get help from trusted professionals. When you are getting help with important things, get it from the right person. For example, don’t ask your car mechanic Joe how to save your home from the state if you need nursing home care. If you have a problem or concern, talk to an attorney or other trusted professional. What worked for Joe might not work for you.

  To find out how to get help from an attorney, check out “Getting Legal Help”.

• Talk to your bank before changing accounts. Are you thinking about putting someone’s name on your bank account so they can help you pay your bills or manage your money?  This is called a “joint account.”  Joint accounts are very risky.  There are safer ways to do what you are trying to do. Talk to someone at your bank about some safer options. If you need help managing your money, free help is available. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771.

  Read about the dangers of joint accounts in “Planning for the Future”.

• Do not let anyone rush you into signing a document, purchasing a service, or giving away your money or property.   Take your time and consult with others.   Only sign contracts or documents when you understand what they say and agree to the terms.  Be especially careful if someone, even a trusted family member, is pressuring you to sign something.  If you feel rushed or pressured to act, don’t act.  Instead, talk to others including trusted friends and family members, your banker, attorney, or other professionals such as a clergy member or social worker.

  To find out how to get help from an attorney, check out “Getting Legal Help”.

• Trust your gut and use common sense.  If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  If you have a bad feeling about something that’s happening, trust that feeling and proceed with caution.  It is always a good idea to talk to a trusted family member or friend if something is worrying you.

If someone is hurting you, neglecting you, taking advantage of you, or trying to take advantage of you, you need to tell someone.

Asking for help is not an easy thing to do, but it’s important. If you don’t ask for help, it will be hard to improve the situation. Reach out to a trusted family member or friend. Or, tell your doctor or your spiritual advisor.

There are also many agencies you can turn to. The people who work at these agencies are professional. Everything you say to them will be confidential. You get to stay in control. They will tell you what your options are, and you choose what to do. Your decision will be respected. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want to do.

If you are not getting the care that you need from your caregiver:

• Call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771 to find out what supports and services are available to help; or,
   
• Call the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-499-0229.

If someone is physically hurting you:

• Call 911 if you feel like you are in danger.
   
• Call the Legal Services for Maine Elders Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 to speak to an attorney for free; or,
   
• Call the Domestic Violence Statewide Helpline at 1-866-834-4357; or,
   
• Call the Sexual Violence Statewide Crisis and Support Line at 1-800-871-7741.

If someone is saying things to make you feel bad, ashamed, or worthless:

• Call the Legal Services for Maine Elders Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 to speak to an attorney for free; or,
   
• Call the Domestic Violence Statewide Helpline at 1-866-834-4357.

If someone is stealing your money or taking advantage of you:

• Call the Legal Services for Maine Elders Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 to speak to an attorney for free.

Legal Services for Maine Elders
If you are a Maine resident who is 60 or older, and you would like help protecting or recovering your money or property, call the Legal Services for Maine Elders Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 to talk to an attorney for free.

Sexual Violence Statewide Crisis and Support Line
Immediately following a sexual assault, take whatever steps you can to ensure your safety. You may want to call the statewide sexual assault crisis and support line: 1-800-871-7741 or TTY 1-888-458-5599. When you call, you will be connected to someone nearby who can listen, offer support and information, and help you decide what you want to do next. 

Domestic Violence Statewide Helpline
If you need help with a domestic violence situation, call the Helpline at 1-866-843-4357.  When you call, you will be connected to someone who can listen, offer emotional support and information, help you with safety planning and help you decide what you want to do next.   

Area Agency on Aging
For more information about services that are available in your area, call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771. Services include: long term care options counseling; identifying possible housing; assisting in receiving benefits; and, providing family support and meals.

Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman
If you are not getting the care that you need from your caregiver, call the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-499-0229.  To learn more about the Ombudsman, visit the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman website by clicking here.

Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention
For more information about elder abuse, ways to prevent it, and agencies in Maine that provide services to people dealing with abuse, visit the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention’s website by clicking here.

State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) – Office of Aging and Disability Services
If you are worried about a senior, you can call and report your concerns to APS.  APS provides and arranges for services to protect incapacitated and dependent adults (age 18 and over) in danger of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. 
1-800-624-8404 (Nationwide, 24/7, toll free)
Maine Relay 711 (TTY, 24/7)

National Center on Elder Abuse
For more information about elder abuse and ways to prevent it, visit the website for the National Center on Elder Abuse by clicking here.

The Office of the Maine Attorney General
The Office of the Maine Attorney General has a website dedicated to consumer protection. Click here to find more information about comsumer issues and concerns.

Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau helps consumers find and recommend businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. Click here to check out what's been recommended in your area.

Consumer Credit Counseling of Maine
Click here to find a credit counselor near you.