RISE: A Conceptual Model of Integrated and Restorative Elder Abuse Intervention

Abstract

Despite a growing number of elder abuse cases nationwide, response programs such as Adult Protective Services (APS) lack a defined, prolonged intervention phase to address these complex situations. This paper presents RISE, a model of elder abuse intervention that works alongside APS or other systems that interact with at-risk older adults. Informed by an ecological-systems perspective and adapting evidence-based modalities from other fields (including motivational interviewing, teaming, restorative justice, goal attainment scaling), the RISE model intervenes at levels of the individual older adult victim, individual harmer, their relationship, and community to address elder abuse risk and strengthen systems of support surrounding the victim-harmer dyad. The RISE model addresses an intervention gap in existing systems to better meet the needs of elder abuse victims and others in their lives, leading to more sustainable outcomes.

Forgotten and without Protections: Older Adults in Prison Settings

“…In terms of formal notification, research indicates that only 18 percent of past‐year emotional, physical, and sexual abuse events were reported to police, with the greatest likelihood of report relating to physical abuse (31 percent). Reasons for limited police notification among community‐dwelling older adults are many and include stigma, perceived risk to autonomy, and consequences for perpetrators who may be loved ones 13 …”

Preliminary findings on the use of “teaming” in elder abuse intervention: the RISE project

“…The current pilot study explores the use of a teaming approach with people experiencing EASN. Teaming is a core component of R epair harm, I nspire change, S upport connection, E mpower choice (RISE) , a community based EASN response intervention in Maine, USA (Burnes et al , 2022b). RISE advocates work with clients referred to them by Maine Adult Protective Services (MAPS).…”

“…When working with clients with cognitive impairment, RISE advocates follow a three-tiered protocol depending on the client’s ability to engage in person-centered goal setting and the availability of a trusted third-party substitute decision-maker (Burnes et al , 2022b). In tier 1, clients have the cognitive ability to express goals, needs and service plan preferences and are, thus, directly involved in goal setting using supported decision-making principles.…”

“…In tier 3, which refers to clients who lack both the ability to participate in goal setting and a substitute decision-maker, responses differ depending on state and/or federal law of a given jurisdiction. In Maine, goal setting occurs collaboratively between the advocate and the APS guardianship caseworker (Burnes et al , 2022b).…”

“…RISE advocates work with clients referred to them by Maine Adult Protective Services (MAPS). RISE works in partnership with MAPS, a state-government agency, and is housed within the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine (EAIME), a community-based non-profit organization that administers the RISE intervention (Burnes et al, 2022b(Burnes et al, , 2022c.…”