Why Elder Mediation?

Canada’s millions of “Baby Boomers” are rapidly aging.

Today, more than ever, families face the difficult and often unavoidable issues that concern and confront their aging family members; matters that can become sources of conflict for the senior, their relatives and caregivers.

The demographics – that by 2036, the number of seniors will reach approximately 10 million; more than double the 4.7 million in 2009 – point to a growing need for specially trained, professional assistance to help families deal with the complexities facing the “maturing family”.

When these decisions result in conflict and potentially fractured relationships, Elder Mediationis an ideal way to help senior parents and their adult children face the ethical, legal and emotional challenges of these life-altering dilemmas. The Elder Mediator’s knowledge and skills will be instrumental in not only fostering resolution to the issues, but as importantly, in helping the family preserve relationships for their future.

Not all matters associated with an aging population will necessarily end in conflict, however, particularly if the senior and family choose to plan for future eventualities. Elder Family Conferencing™ was developed to provide the family with an opportunity to work with a trained facilitator who will help them develop the best and most sustainable plan for their older family member and all other family members and caregivers.

Patterned after the philosophy underlying a process called the “Family Group Decision-Making Process”, which originated in the New Zealand Child-Protection field, Elder Family Conferencing™ supports the view that the family “knows best” when it comes to making critical decisions. However, the family system is not always the most organized and coordinated in it’s efforts to do so, and issues such as geographical distance and lack of information can get in the way.

Elder Family Conferencing™ seeks to close those gaps so that all “voices” are heard, the family can make informed decisions, and the best possible plan can be implemented and will be sustained over time.

While Elder Mediation and Elder Family Conferencing™ resemble other forms of family mediation, these processes present unique challenges to mediators and facilitators.

That is the reason for launching Canada’s first Elder Mediation Training Program (EMTP); a comprehensive program designed to specifically address the needs of this unique population.

The Elder Mediation Training Program combines a two-day introductory training course with an optional advanced three-day applied program.

First, the two-day core program provides an intensive introduction to the knowledge base related to the special issues that arise when working with older persons, their families and caregivers.

Upon completion of this core program, participants can choose to take one of two advanced three-day training programs:

• Elder Mediation: for practicing mediators, accredited with Family Mediation Canada and/or the Ontario Association of Family Mediation, or equivalency, and individuals in the accreditation process, or:
• Elder Family Conferencing™: for facilitators who are not accredited but have backgrounds in gerontology, social work, nursing, counselling, nursing or related field

We believe that seniors and their families should have at their disposal a number of options to assist them as they navigate their way through these critical times.

The Elder Mediation Training Program will provide participants with the knowledge and skills essentials to build this expertise, expand their professional practices, and meet the ever-increasing needs of our aging population.