“Wise Talk”
Jane, Mary, and Della are arguing, clearly energized as they discuss the future and dredge up affronts
from childhood. Over the past two years, they have seen a decline in their mother’s ability
to remember people, plans, and other day-to-day things. They are concerned about her safety,
given the daily supervision she requires. They are also concerned about the increased responsibility
on their father and how he no longer is able to leave the house to play cards, have coffee with friends,
and attend social activities that he enjoys. Although they have spoken to their mother and father
about different care giving options, both have refused to consider them. Their father insists
he is fine and he can care for their mother himself. Their mother is adamant she does not want strangers
around her.
Elizabeth has just turned 94 and has been residing in her senior living center
apartment for 15 years. Under
new management, the rules for the tenants have undergone some changes and Elizabeth is being asked
to consider moving to a different apartment. She is concerned that she will be made to make a
move that she is not willing to make since she strongly desires to remain in her current residence…
How the Mediation Center Helps
The Mediation Center of Dutchess County offers services to parties in conflict or facing difficult
decisions, helping them to gain clarity and develop workable solutions.
Life changes associated with aging can be the source of new stresses for older adults, their neighbors
and communities, and their loved ones. Managing the changing needs of individuals, as well as shifting
roles and relationships can be challenging and communication can become difficult.
As a result, disagreements about the best course of action for housing, neighbor, and safety issues
or the care of an aging family member are common. All too often, unresolved conflict can impact
the quality of life for older adults.
The “Wise Talk” program is designed to address these issues by
providing opportunities for older adults, families, and communities to engage in facilitated conversations
with an impartial mediator whose role is to help parties make decisions, resolve issues, and constructively
respond to conflict.
How Mediation Works
In mediation, people have the opportunity to talk face-to-face about the issues important to them. It
is a voluntary and confidential process that can help families make difficult decisions in a private
setting. Mediators are professionally trained staff and volunteers of the Mediation Center of
Dutchess County.
Mediators can facilitate conversations between family members, neighbors,
services and clients and others so that they may share information, develop options, and engage in
inclusive decision-making. Mediators
can also help address disputes impacting care-givers and the care recipient.
Through mediation, people often become clearer about their options and their
best course of action. Most
importantly, parties retain the power to act on their own insights and make their own decisions.
Issues for Mediation
- Care-giving decisions
- Living arrangements
- Financial and legal decisions
- Alternatives to guardianship
- Neighbor or Roommate conflicts
- Planning with hospitals, nursing homes or senior citizen housing
- Any issue impacting the lives of older adults and their families
Results
Through mediation participants can
- Gain clarity
- Develop understanding
- Reach decisions
- Create written agreements
Referrals
People may call the Mediation Center on their own or they may be referred to the Center by friends,
family, senior housing, agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, and others. Once the Center has been contacted,
a staff person will speak with each participant to talk about the situation and, if parties agree,
the staff will schedule a session with a mediator.
To make a referral or inquire about our services, contact:
Phone: 845.471.7213
Fax: 845.471.7264
