Elder care mediation helps families engage in difficult conversations regarding the care of an aging loved one. The mediator serves as a facilitator who meets with family members to explore and evaluate options in a neutral setting. It provides an opportunity for all members to be heard and for concerns to be understood. Through listening and understanding, the mediator can help family members identify solutions for how to best care for their aging elder. By focusing on the present and the future, the mediator helps families move beyond the past and the conflict that led them to mediation.
The confidentiality of the mediation process allows for these conversations to happen without fear that anything said can be used against any family member in court. Moreover, the mediation process can preserve the family resources as the cost of litigation can ultimately result in less resources to pay for elder care.
Elder care mediation is appropriate for a myriad of issues, including:
- Residency decisions: Moving to an assisted living facility, remaining home with care, remaining home with a family member, moving in with a family member.
- Caregiving duties: How will the caregiving responsibilities be delegated among family members, driving responsibilities, financial compensation for caregivers, how out of town family members can assist and provide support to caregivers.
- Financial concerns: How the assisted living, third party caregivers or nursing home care can be paid for, liquidation, division or sale of assets.
- Decision making issues: Power of attorney, guardianship, living will, health care proxy, funeral preplanning, wills, trusts and estates.
Stacey has special training in elder care mediation. She would be happy to meet with you to explain in detail how she can be of assistance to you and your family during this difficult time.
