ELDER MEDIATION PROGRAM

The Elder mediation program is a program offered by the Community Mediation Center of Stark County.

The Mediation Center promotes interpersonal understanding and provides the opportunity for people to make decisions about how to resolve their disputes.   The Mediation Center furthers the practice of mediation through education and training.

WHAT IS ELDER MEDIATION?

Elder mediation helps older adults, their families, and care providers communicate effectively and resolve conflict.   Mediation is a way for people in conflict to talk together with the help of an impartial third party.   The process allows people to make their own decisions about how to resolve a conflict and to better understand one another.

HOW MEDIATION WORKS?

Scheduling an appointment: Anyone may contact our office to request mediation directly or to make a referral. Sessions are held at times and locations convenient to the parties.

Do I need an Attorney: Mediators do not provide legal advice. In some situations, such as guardianship, participants may choose to retain a lawyer as a resource for legal information and counsel.

WHEN MEDIATION HELPS

Older adults, their families, and care providers sometimes experience conflicts such as:

  • Siblings disagreeing over the care of a frail and elderly parent.
  • Conflict over selling the family home or moving a loved one to a new setting.
  • Tension from parents, children, and grandchildren living together.
  • Residents in long-term care objecting to change in level of care.
  • Conflicts regarding financial and estate matters.
  • Health care providers and seniors and/or their families disagreeing over medical treatment.
  • Disputes between tenants and management.
  • Neighbors' noise, vandalism, or differences in lifestyle.

BENEFITS OF MEDIATION

Mediation increases the role of older adults in the decisions that impact their quality of life. Specific benefits include:

  • Helps older adults express their emotions, preferences and concerns during decision making.
  • Improves understanding between older adults and the important people in their lives.
  • Helps decrease the stress associated with conflict.
  • Supports collaboration between older adults and their healthcare providers to improve quality of care.
  • Provides an alternative to litigation.