1 in 7 Canadians are seniors. Aging parents perspective of their mental, physical and emotional status is resulting in an emerging tidal wave of concern, anxiety and even conflict among adult children who are fast becoming the caregivers.

According to Statistics Canada, there are currently more than two million adults acting as caregivers for their parents. Not only are these numbers expected to grow as we all live longer, but 67% of these adult children work full-time and have children of their own.

Elder Mediation is proving to be an ideal way to help adult children and their aging parents address issues that occur as a result of life cycle events and transitions associated with aging.

Elder Mediation offers:

• A forum in which the family can discuss time-sensitive and sometimes difficult matters
• A neutral setting where all “voices” are heard, including the voice of the senior (wherever possible)
• A process to focus on the important decisions that need to be made
• A place to make plans while parents are healthy and able to articulate their wishes and desires
• An opportunity to include any other parties involved in caregiving or decision-making
• A facilitated conversation when families and/or those providing care have differences of opinion
• A way to sustain relationships while resolving conflict
• A place to conclude the discussions with long term, sustainable and mutually agreeable results

Types of Issues ideal for Elder Mediation:

• Quality of Life issues – housing and lifestyle, driving, medical, safety and environment, day-to-day caregiving
• Health Care matters and Decisions
• Financial matters and Decisions
• Wills, Trusts and Estates
• Power of Attorney and Guardianship
• Division or Sale of Family Property (eg. cottage)
• New relationships, Re-marriage and Blended Families
• Marriage Contracts
• Family Business Succession or Sale
• End-of-Life Decisions
• Emergency Decisions

Marathon mediators understand that these can be difficult and emotional conversations. Our goal is to provide a safe, private and respectful environment which brings together the older person, family members and the professionals and organizations working with them in order to participate in a cooperative problem-solving process.

In addition to arriving at solutions to problems, people who participate in elder mediation find that their communication is improved, relationships are strengthened and the central wish of the older person is fulfilled – that is, that their family will be intact and family ties will be preserved after they have passed on.