RISE FAQs

• RISE underwent a comprehensive developmental process and was built, intentionally, based on extensive consultations with key elder abuse and self-neglect (EASN) stakeholders (caseworkers, administrators, researchers, policymakers), EASN intervention theory, and prior EASN research.
• RISE uses specific intervention modalities (motivational interviewing, restorative justice, teaming, supported decision making, goal attainment scaling) that have demonstrated evidence in other fields of family violence and/or promising results with EASN cases. RISE is also a conceptually driven model informed by ecological-systems, relational, and client-centered perspectives.
• Unlike many traditional services that are short-term and focus only on immediate safety, RISE offers longer-term, restorative support that allows us to develop trusting relationships with older adults and address the underlying needs and risks of the EASN situation.
• RISE works with cases at Relational, Individual, Social, and Environmental levels of influence. We work with both older adult victims and others, including alleged harmers, their relationships, family members, and we work to strengthen the social support systems surrounding them. We place an emphasis on restoring and repairing relationships in the older adult’s life and developing their informal and formal social support networks.
• RISE works with both confirmed/substantiated EASN cases (response), as well as sub-threshold cases that do not necessarily meet formal substantiation criteria but do carry risks and concerns that have the potential to escalate without proper supports in place (prevention).

RISE benefits older adults who are at risk of or experiencing elder abuse and/or self-neglect (EASN), as well as their alleged harmers and others involved in the situation (e.g., family members, concerned others). Through our partnerships, RISE also benefits existing systems, such as Adult Protective Services and legal/justice, that do not typically have the capacity to work with cases in a holistic manner that addresses underlying needs/risks.

RISE follows an intentional, conceptually driven intervention approach that integrates core modalities designed to Repair Harm (restorative justice), Inspire Change (motivational interviewing), Support Connection (teaming), and Empower Choice (supported decision making, goal attainment scaling). These core modalities have been shown to work in other domains of family violence and/or promise with cases of elder abuse and self-neglect.

RISE can be implemented in partnership with existing systems, within existing systems, or in communities as a stand-alone program. We place importance on our partnerships with existing systems and strive to develop a collaborative, respectful, and mutually productive relationship with them. We also understand that communities have different needs and expectations across contexts, and we are willing to adapt our model in order to meet a diversity of community needs.

RISE advocates are trained in the model’s theoretical foundations and core modalities, ensuring a holistic, relational, client-centered approach in their work with older adults and their families.

The efficacy of RISE is continually evaluated through ongoing data collection and research. This ensures the model is responsive to the evolving needs of communities and stays aligned with best practices. Based on our partnership with Adult Protective Services (APS), for example, we have learned that cases exposed to RISE have a significantly lower likelihood of being re-referred back into the APS system.

RISE is currently in various stages of operational implementation across locations, including Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, and Seattle in the United States, and Toronto, Canada.

• Feel free to reach out if you are interested in learning more about or bringing RISE to your community.
• We are always looking to strengthen our network of community organizations with whom we collaborate to supports cases
• Individuals or organizations can get involved as volunteers to help support our programs and strengthen our capacity
• We are also highly appreciative of any financial support or donations that individuals and organization make to support and expand our capacity to support cases of elder abuse and self-neglect

More information, including detailed research, news articles, social media platforms, and publications about RISE, can be found on our website. You can also sign up for our newsletter for regular updates.

• Elder Abuse is “An intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.” (World Health Organization)
• Self-neglect refers to the failure or inability of an older person to satisfy their own basic needs and to protect themselves from harm (National Research Council, 2003)