It is common to have even the closest siblings to have disagreements when it comes to meeting the needs of their parents. Emotions and stress can run high and at times past family dynamics can arise. This can lead to conflicts while caring for loved ones.
When it comes to family members, money, medical treatments, living arrangements and caregivers assignments can cause problems to arise. These issues can cause tension and would require communication and compromise to find a solution.
Even with the best of intentions, it can be difficult to find common ground with our siblings when it comes to care for our aging parents. This is a situation and can often cause unresolved issues and complex family dynamics. However there can be a solution that many family members are not aware of: enlisting the assistance of an elder mediator. A mediator can be a tremendous helpful resource in navigating these challenging situations and helping to find a solution that works for the whole family.
A mediator is a specialist in conflict resolution who brings an unbiased, third-party perspective into the family meetings. They can help defuse heightened emotions and outbursts, while also helping to guide the family to the proper solution that everyone can agree upon.
Elder mediator Susanne Terry explains, most siblings genuinely want what is best for their loved ones, although they may have different ideas. The objective is to assist them in identifying their shared interests, allowing them to come together and find an effective solution that works for everyone.
Elder mediation is a great approach that offers siblings the opportunity to share their thoughts and actively listen to each other. Unlike family therapy, which can take time, elder mediation aims to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution in just a few sessions. Their main goal is to not only find the best solution for the elderly parents, but also to support siblings in nurturing their relationships.
When researching for an elder mediation option, there are some questions that you should ask:
- What is your education, background and where did you get your training?
- How much experience do you have in our specific situation?
- Are you a member of the Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM) or are you from another association?
- What are your fees?
To help identify an elder mediator in your community visit APFM’s mediation directory. For an effective path forward in caring for your loved ones, reach out to Amy’s Helping Hands. We will be able to provide a free in-home consultation. Please call us at 519-915-4370 we are available 24/7.
