Family Mediation is a positive and proactive communication method conducted by a third party neutral between elders and their family members. Instead of relying only on end of life documents such as wills and trusts, family mediation is a proactive process that is transparent in addressing current and future issues, concerns, and needs of the elder and their family.
The elderly in the United States is a large demographic that becomes more socially isolated as they age, thus making them more vulnerable to predatory practices such as
• financial abuse
• physical abuse.
Recent years have seen an increase in the financial exploitation of the elderly due to the economic crisis and its financial impact on the subsequent generations. 70% of the wealth in the United States is held by those 50 years and older, alarmingly this group is the target of family members who are in financial straits themselves either by experiencing job loss, underemployment, or simply a sense of entitlement.
Family mediation can protect the elderly from financial or physical abuse by adult children who suffer from substance abuse or mental health issues by putting into place directives and parameters such as trusts to insulate them from the continuous demands made by the adult child who struggles with these issues. Elders can benefit from neutral third party mediation by clearly expressing without fear or judgment from their families as they present their intentions as to how their hard earned money is spent, and that the safety net that the elder has built over a lifetime is not the windfall of their children or caregivers. Skilled mediators recognize that aging does not mean the same thing as loss of intellect, mental health, choice, or rights.
Clearly defining and documenting the elders’ assets, expenses, as well as their concerns can create and outline of the elders’ goals and interests regarding their future. Proactive Elder Mediation can help in defining the responsibilities of family members, as well as giving family members an opportunity to share their interest and concerns in the roles in which they may be called upon to participate. Cooperative, interest-based elder mediation can set ground rules and guidelines that create systems of checks and balances. This can help in safeguarding the elders’ assets as well as to inform family members of the elders wishes and intentions.
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