Persons appropriate for the program are frail, self-neglecting, isolated elders who are experiencing an immediate crisis situation and are "at risk." "At risk" is defined as the failure or refusal to provide for oneself one or more of the necessities essential for physical and/or emotional well being such as food, clothing, shelter, or personal and medical care in a way  that the elder would not be able to remain safely in the community without the intervention of the Elder-at-Risk Program at BayPath. The program is intended to focus on elders not already being served by other social service agencies. 

With the elder's consent, the BayPath case worker will develop a short-term, goal-oriented service plan, maintaining the principle of least restrictive alternatives. Possible interventions may include mental health evaluations, home care services, legal services, or medical care referrals. If an elder lacks the capacity to consent, the case worker will arrange for or assist the family with available options for care. Elders who have the capacity to make their own decisions have the right to refuse intervention. 

Any person who believes an elder in the community is at risk may make a referral to the program. To do so, call the Crisis Intervention Unit at BayPath Elder Services, Inc., 
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at (508) 872-1866 or 1-800-287-7284 (MA), and state that you wish to make an Elder-at-Risk referral. During non-business hours, call the 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275 for emergency and non-emergency situations.