Yesterday, I blogged about the benefits of giving yourself a voice by attending a structured setting to discuss your wishes and intentions with loved ones. If you want to minimize the risk of having someone else (including strangers) dictate what happens to your wellbeing and property, then you are your best advocate.

Elder Mediation, also known as Intergenerational Mediation, is a growing trend as a preventative measure to conflict. Plus, the initial processes could identify elder abuse or neglect that was previously unrecognized. Elder Mediation would not occur between the elder and another person if abuse was substantiated. The Elder Mediation environment is safe and trusting where suspected abuse can be named, and plans implemented to prevent future abuse or neglect. If capacity is a concern or a participant is unable to give voluntary consent, then the Elder Mediator would take the appropriate steps such as including the individual’s representative as a participant.

Elder Mediation is voluntary; it’s a self-determined process where the Elder Mediator facilitates discussions between all parties to assist them in uncovering underlying positions and interests and determine how to best resolve issues. The Elder Mediator would facilitate the discussions as appropriately. Some process models are interest-based approach, insight approach, facilitative approaches, transformative approaches, narrative approach, adult guardianship mediation model, therapeutic elder mediation model, restorative justice approach, solution-based, mediation advocacy model, and ethical model. The Department of Justice Canada further elaborates on each model here. The mediation meetings are informal and held at locations that accommodates the family’s needs such as private homes, mediator’s office, senior care facility, or etc. Through Elder Mediation, relationships can be rebuilt, renewed, or established. It’s a win-win just to start the conversation. You can find a list of Ontario Intergenerational Mediators here.

With Canada’s aging population and growing need for elder care, there is an increasing demand for Elder/Intergenerational Mediators. Ontario’s Association for Family Mediation outlines the requirements to become an Accredited Intergenerational Mediator in this link here and explains some of its training in this link here.

Thanks for reading.
Jennifer Wan