Eldercare Mediation
Adult children commonly find themselves in conflict over the care
of an elderly parent. Aging is a painful and frightening reality for
everyone, often raising significant physical, legal, financial, and
emotional challenges. It can also intensify feelings of anger,
resentment, sadness, guilt, and helplessness, placing
enormous strain on parent-child and sibling relationships.
Brothers- and sisters-in-law and signficant others may succeed
to some extent in a facilitative role. However, their particular
attachment to one or other family member and their lack of
professional training typically limit their effectiveness in moving
beyond conflict to resolution.
Meanwhile, as formerly happy family gatherings such as a
Thanksgiving celebration become loaded with tension, innuendo,
and even outright hostility, the possibility of consensus becomes
more and more elusive.
If you face the challenges of caring for your mom or dad, or if you yourself worry about conflict among your children regarding your own care, consider allowing a professional mediator to help your family create a comprehensive eldercare plan. With compassion and objectivity, our mediators can address any of the following issues in a safe and confidential environment:
- How to manage care-giving and associated expenses
- End-of-life decisions relating to medical care
- Estate planning and avoidance of probate contests
- Sharing hard-to-express sentiments before it’s too late
The mediation may take place in a variety of locations, including your mediator’s private office, an elder’s assisted living community, or the office of a senior service agency. (In instances of limited mobility, an elder’s home may provide an alternative venue for mediation.) Out-of-state parties may also participate via telephone or video conference.
Whereas elder mediation is never easy, the commitment to come together as a family and, guided by a skilled mediator, work through important decisions can ultimately be an extraordinarily uplifting experience that preserves both financial and familial well-being.