Presenters describe RISE, a client‑led restorative model for older‑adult abuse response

Patty, who said she leads the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine, and David summarized the RISE model onstage at a virtual elder justice summit and described research and case work that, they said, support a restorative, client‑led approach to elder mistreatment.

Patty said RISE was launched in Maine on July 8, 2019, and has been written into the state budget after state health leadership endorsed it; she said the program has served more than 1,000 clients to date. “Advocates carry small caseloads, no more than 20 at a time,” Patty said, describing how the model prioritizes long‑term relational support over rapid case closure.

David described the research base behind RISE, including a New York population study that used a conflict tactics scale and a conservative threshold (10 or more events in the prior year). He said the study found many older adults who met victimization thresholds nevertheless reported the incidents as "not serious," a pattern he said is more common when the alleged harmer is a close family member or a cohabitant.

The presenters said those findings guided RISE’s emphasis on client‑defined goals and supported decision‑making. Patty listed RISE’s four integrated modalities — restorative justice, motivational interviewing, teaming and supported decision‑making — and showed how the model differs from traditional case management by focusing less on eligibility and quick discharge and more on sustained engagement.

They illustrated the approach with case examples: Thomas, a 72‑year‑old veteran whose advocate arranged a restorative conversation with his brother that led to new house rules, VA referrals and an accountability plan; Maria, a woman in early‑stage dementia who chose home‑based safety measures and a protective agreement rather than removal; Harold, a rural client whose situation was stabilized by an interdisciplinary team aligned around his goals; and Dennis, a client engaged over the course of a year whose continuing contact with an advocate coincided with fewer APS returns.

Presenters acknowledged operational challenges. Patty said RISE host agencies must shift hiring and supervision practices to support the model, invest in reflective clinical supervision (Patty described hiring a therapist to provide staff support), and adopt new metrics to track person‑defined goals. She noted that traditional “success” indicators — immediate safety through removal or case closure — may not reflect the outcomes RISE is designed to achieve.

In a question‑and‑answer session, presenters were asked how restorative approaches intersect with prosecution and multidisciplinary teams. David and Patty said RISE is client‑led: if an older adult wants prosecution, RISE will support that path; in other cases the program may pursue restorative or diversion options. They cited an example in Seattle in which partners worked with prosecutors and a drug‑court pathway so a victim’s grandson could get treatment; a Seattle participant, Paige Ulrey, confirmed the case ended with the defendant completing treatment and charges dismissed.

The presenters also said RISE offers training modules and encouraged organizations to contact the RISE collaborative for help replicating the model and accessing published evidence. They invited attendees to follow up via the RISE website and social channels.

The session closed with the moderator thanking presenters and noting attendees would likely follow up with further questions and requests for training and technical assistance.