How to Refer a Person for Help with a Problem
Listen for signs and symptoms that a family member or someone else needs help you can't provide i.e., legal advice, financial advice, personal counseling. You can link the individual with resources that can help.
Be aware of agencies and resources available to your community. Get to know the professionals and volunteers in your community who can help. Find out what services they offer and what their limitations are. Assess what agency or community resource would be most appropriate to address the person's, or family's, problem. If you have questions about whether a given organization could be of help, call and ask.
Discuss the referral with the person or family. You might say, "I sense that you need help with [name an issue]. I think [name of organization] organization can help you." It's even more useful if you can say, "I know of a family that went to [name of organization] organization, and they found it to be very helpful." In short, if you know of people who have been helped, share their experiences, but keep their names confidential.
Explore the individual's or family's willingness to make contact with the community resource. You might say, "Does it make sense to you to contact [name of community resource]?" Or, "How do you feel about seeking help from this agency?" If the person or family feels comfortable making the contact, simply urge them to do so.
If the person or family is unwilling to make the contact, or if there is some danger if action is not taken, you should take the initiative.
- Call the agency and ask to speak with the intake worker, if there is one.
- Identify yourself and your relationship with the person or family.
- State what you think the person's or family's needs are.
- Ask the agency what follow-up action they will take and what, if anything, you can do.
Try to find out whether the person or family contacted the resource and whether they were helped. Don't be nosy or pry for details - just make sure they know you are care and want them to get the help they need.
If you are concerned that an older adult will not accept your help and that the person is in danger of hurting themselves or others, you can call the Mental Health Delegate at 215-685-6440. They may recommend that you fill out a petition for involuntary treatment for the person, also called a 302 petition. See Legal Terminology for more information on a 302 petition. If you are concerned that an older adult is being abused, neglected, exploited by someone or is self neglecting call Protective Services at 215-765-9033.